Feature
Lost photos of Manchester in the early ’90s released after they were found in a skip
Why would you throw these away?
The Modernist has released some lost photos of our city in an exhibition titled ‘Manchester in A Skip’, featuring loads of incredible images from the early ’90s.
In 2015, a man named Eddy found the photos in a skip, and they provide a wonderful glimpse into the history of our city.
The photographs – which were originally archived in a carrier bag under his bed after finding them – appear to have been taken in Manchester in the early 1990s (although some look to have been taken earlier), way back when the Arndale was in its former, very yellow, glory days.
A lot of things have changed since. For a start, the buses were orange, there’s an abundance of Ford Capris and also a huge absence of tram tracks.
There are plenty of names I don’t recognise too, from the Ramada Hotel, Chelsea Girl, Richards and NEC.
There are even roads AND cars in St Peter’s Square. I have to say, it’s definitely a lot better pedestrianised (plus the tram, of course) now. And I say that as someone who has never known it to be any different.
What else? Well, student halls looked as drab as ever. At least some things remain the same, eh!? It’s all part of the ‘character building’ that Uni provides.
There’s also a lot of legs that seemingly get wider around the ankles too, suggesting some of the images might be from a bit earlier.
Did men really wear flares? And pair them with brown jackets for that matter? Not to mention the patches of fuzzy hair on the side of cheeks perfectly trimmed into an asymmetrical shape that mimics their trousers. It’s truly glorious.
Personally, I’m glad to see Boots haven’t bothered to change their logo since the 90s – if it ain’t broke!
In all seriousness, this a wonderful insight into the past of our amazing city and how it’s changed over the years.
It’s also incredible to think someone threw all these away into a skip?! What were they thinking…
You can see more images from the exhibition below:
Check out the rest of the photos here: