This page contains information about historic streets which were nearby before this area was redeveloped. To read about historic streets in this area included in the James Gray Collection see Upper Bedford Street area.
James Gray: This narrow passage [Manchester Row], only seven feet wide, was to be found in Upper Bedford Street, between Bedford Buildings and Crescent Cottages. A squalid row of about a dozen slum houses, it was entered only from Upper Bedford Street, the other end being blocked by a high wall. Facing north, towards Bedford Buildings, no sunshine ever lit up their dingy windows. The photographs are dated March 1912, and the houses were condemned soon afterwards. The 1914-18 War gave them a temporary reprieve and they were still occupied until well into the 1920s. They were demolished in 1925 as part of the Corporation first post-war slum clearance. This view from the east looks towards Upper Bedford Street. jgc_22_186
James Gray: A view of Nos 10 and 11 Montague Place, just below Eastern Road. These houses were built about 1835 and were removed a century later in 1935, soon after this photograph was taken. jgc_22_207
2019: View north, towards Eastern Road and the west side of Montague Place. The area has been completely redeveloped, Edwin Place has disappeared and the buildings all replaced by Cello Court. (Photographer: Jayne Paulin)
James Gray: The same view looking south, and showing the little house around the corner, 1 Edwin Place, also demolished in 1935. jgc_22_208
James Gray: The west side of this small street, from Edwin Place to Somerset Street, in 1960. The grocery shop of W T Hall, at the corner of Somerset Street, was a very old established business. Although advertised as ‘Established 1867’ it was older even than that. It is listed in W J Taylor’s Directory of 1855 and is thought to date from 1850. The commercial building between the streets was of recent origin.
James Gray: View of the rear of Crescent Cottages (left) and Manchester Row (right) in March 1912. I am told that the distance between the two walls was just over seven feet and that there was just room for a single closet in each yard. Further comment is unnecessary, the picture speaks for itself! jgc_22_188
James Gray: The north side of the street looking from Montague Place towards Upper Bedford Street. Partially rebuilt with new council houses in 1934/1935. jgc_22_192
James Gray: Old houses in this narrow passage [Bedford Buildings] between Montague Place and Upper Bedford Street, at the time of their demolition. jgc_22_193
James Gray: Two photographs [this one plus jgc_22_197 on the Upper Bedford Street page] of this narrow passage between Upper Bedford Street and Montague Place, 22 March 1912. This view from the Montague Place end looks westwards. The houses on the right of this photograph were removed in 1937 but the others remained until 1950s. jgc_22_198