Manchester Off The Beaten Path Tips by suvanki

Cold War Atomic Bunker- Guardian Exchange

PostWW2, Manchester along with the rest of Britain was in fear of a 'Cold War ' nuclear attack from the Soviet Union.

This bunker was built secretly, by Polish Workers, between 1949-1954, amongst the general construction that was going on after the destruction from the WW2 blitzes on Manchester. It was fundeded by NATO at a cost of 4 Million GBP (£225 Million or there abouts today) Apparently the idea for using Polish workers was that as they didn't speak English, they couldn't tell anyone what they were doing!!!

I visited this site during the NMW 2 hour guided 'Underground Manchester' walk.

The plan was to have a place where communications could continue, and the politicians and dignitaries of Manchester would be protected here. The idea was that they would be safe if they could remain her for 6 weeks after a nuclear attack on the city!
So, there was a store of 6 weeks of food. Entertainment in the form of an upright piano and a snooker table. Walls were painted in pleasant colours, with 'outside views'

From the bunker, there were a couple of tunnels that reached Salford and Ardwick as escape routes.

Today, the building and tunnels are owned by BT (British Telecommunications) who use the tunnels etc for laying their cables.

This building is securily protected by razor wire and concreted entrances

Midland Hotel

Built in 1903,by the Midland Railway Company, this Grade 2 listed Grand Hotel was to be the 'sister hotel' to St Pancras Hotel in London. Built opposite Manchester Central Railway station, which was the northern terminus of the railway line from St Pancras Station, it attracted wealthy businessmen and traders, who had travelled to Cottonopolis. A theatre and Roof Terrace were a couple of the hotels features along with a couple of award winning restaurants.
American traders did business here, selling raw cotton to the mill owners.
In 1904, it was to be the venue for a meeting between Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce, which led to the formation of Rolls Royce Limited. A couple of plaques in the entrance mark this event.

Other illustrious visitors have been Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, "who was the first crowned head to dine in a public restaurant".(The Trafford Restaurant., Lord Olivier and Judy GarlandThe Beatles DIDN'T get to dine in the French Restaurant at the Midland, due to their 'unsuitable attire'
However, one Victoria Adams had her first 'date' here with David Beckham, when the Spice Girls were playing a concert in Manchester - yes, Posh Spice and Becks would no doubt have dressed to impress!

So, Today, it is still one of the places to spot the 'rich and famous/infamous' guests that stay here.

During our 'Underground Manchester' guided walk, that leaves from the front of the Midland Hotel, we were told that Hitler had plans to use this as the North West Nazi HQ if they had invaded England.
Apparently, he had dined in the one time German Restaurant (Which hastily became a French Restaurant following WW!), and was quite taken with the building.
There are stories that he instructed Luftwaffe pilots to avoid bombing the building, and it did survive the Manchester Blitz.
How true any of this is I'm not sure, but it makes a good story.

Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS

Phone: 0161 236 3333

Website: http://www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/the-midland-manchester.aspx

John Shaw - Plaque indicating his tomb

On the wall of the clock tower of St Ann's Church is this plaque which states;

This tablet commemorates John Shaw Master of The Punch House in The Shambles of this city
Born 1715
Died 26th January 1796
His Body lies 5 yards
to the North & Five feet to the
West of the NW corner
of this tower

Erected by the members of John Shaws Club

1983

John Shaw's Punch House was located in what is now Shambles Square, and was on the site of Sinclairs Oyster Bar (pic 2). The adjacent Old Wellington which was built in 1552, was extended in the 18th Century to house this place where strong alcoholic punch was licensed for sale.

Men would gather to drink the alcohol laden punch, smoke, read newspapers, and discuss matters. The tradition was to gather here at six o' clock and order “sixpennyworth of punch”

John Shaw ran this establishment for around 58 years. Having seen service abroad in the army, he had learned how to perfect the production of punch. A widower and having experienced the death of four of his five children, he dealt with his grief by ruling this popular establishment, where he had a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian.

Closing time was 8 0'clock, Which was set by law. Once the clock struck this hour, John would announce in a loud firm voice “Eight o’clock gentlemen, eight o’clock!” Any who hesitated to leave would witness him requesting his servant Molly to fetch his horse whip, which would be cracked near the stragglers. If this failed, Molly would fetch a pail of water, which was deposited onto the floor, flooding the area.
John Shaw didn't waiver from the 8 'o' clock rule-even for VIP's - One Colonel Stanley, and his friends celebrating his successful re-election thought he would receive 'special priviledges' and asked that they be allowed to continue drinking. Shaws reply was

'Colonel Stanley, you are a law-maker, and should not be a law-breaker; and if you and your friends do not leave the room in five minutes, you will find your shoes full of water.'

The regulars soon formed an organised club-The John Shaw Club. It wasn't intended to be a political club, but the members shared the same political views as John - 'Old School Tories'
After Shaw’s death the punch house became "Sinclair's", until oysters were introduced to the menu in 1845 and it became known as "Sinclair's Oyster Bar"--the name it retains to this day.

The John Shaw Club moved to new premises in 1852, The Spread Eagle Hotel on Corporation Street

Punch was usually served in small bowls of two sizes and prices; a shilling bowl being termed 'a P of punch,'and a sixpenny bowl was 'a Q of punch' It is possible that this had some origin for the saying Minding your P's and Q's

This article includes an interesting piece about John Shaw and the Punch House