Caribbean migrants living in Moss Side in the early days had to use their home for meetings and group social activities for many years. This began to change however, when the Irish, who owned this building, offered the facilities to meet for various activities.

For many years this landmark of local trade supplied the needs of the Black communities.

It was a former centre of strong Black economic commerce and trade for many years until it was replaced with the expansion of the present brewery.

The market also influenced the development of many local shops and stalls on the road. However, these all went when the market closed.

One of the premier businesses that started on this road was bread making. Here was the first UK bakery producing Caribbean bread and exporting it to many countries in Europe.

Between Moss Lane East and Denmark Road lies a relatively small housing estate whose streets and pathways have names relating to the African Continent and to former African residents. This was done in honour of the African seamen who contributed to the UK liberation in the two great wars.

The estate had a large number of African Seamen who lived in this community for many years. There was also a strong African student population in the 1960’s to 1970’s.

Formerly Ducie High School, and recently renamed the Manchester Academy, this was Manchester’s first secondary high school to appoint a Black chair of governors and to allow people of African heritage to contribute their cultures to the school curriculum in a meaningful way.

More information on Manchester Academy

Adjacent to the new Manchester Academy and forming part of the new playing field here in the grounds of the school was Manchester’s first Black public art sculpture - a dedication to mothers who strive to raise good Black children. It was made by Kevin Dalton Johnson of BAA, opened by Benjamin Zephaniah with an inscription of poetry by SuAndi.

Unfortunately the sculpture was damaged and ultimately destroyed when a new building was contructed for the school

This new alignment of streets does confuse the memory! Monton Street was famous as it was the site of Monton House - possibly the same place where Lajwanti Kaur originally established the first Sikh Gudwara in Britain.

Monton House was one of the first Black community centres, but it was a mainly male space with dubious goings- on, or so it seemed to most folk who couldn’t or wouldn’t pass through its doorway.

The catalyst point for the Sickle Cell Anaemia Centre that now operates from Denmark Road.

More information on Moss Side Health Centre. Monton Street

One of the leading Black denomination- led congregations in Moss Side. The church congregation reflects a very strong African and Caribbean lifestyle in praise and worship. It extends its pastoral care in the socio-cultural life and needs of the Moss Side life and work. Over the years its outreach activities include education and training as well as social welfare for church and community members and for children and young people.

“Street Pastors” are just one of the initiatives undertaken by the church to take its work into local communities.

This multi -function youth and community centre is the forerunner of the old Moss Side Youth Club.

It opened in 1999.

More information on The Powerhouse

This is continuation of the ‘West Indian Colonials Club’ affectionately known as the Old Folks Home.

It is currently the oldest African Caribbean civic organisation in Manchester and has played a central role in areas such as skill training, entertainment, immigration service advice, sport (mainly dominoes and cricket), and community public education.

The Reno
Reno Club established in 1962 – 1987 by Phil Magbotiwan. This started out as a Salvation Army hostel for African Seaman and was somewhere they could sleep; buy a hot meal & a cigarette. Many people involved in the television/music/entertainment business would come after the clubs in town had shut down. Somewhere there is television archive of them - most likely a BBC documentary on the “coloured” population.

The Nile
Tunde Moses was a co-owner of The Nile, which was in direct competition to the Reno. Trouble for the clubs really began with the growing popularity of drugs in the white community, with young teenagers looking to buy drugs

Moss Side Library
The original Moss Side library was a public meeting and seating place. In the summer many Black women would parade their new summer outfits by taking a moment's rest on the benches out front. To the side was the infamous Moss Side Police Station where you could feed the horses, and directly behind (and still here today, though much larger), the brewery which offended the senses when the fumes of the hops were released on a far too frequent basis.

MSHAED is a local economic agency specifically for the Moss Side and Hulme communities. The presence and influence of the African contribution lives in this organisation within the merger of Moss Side and Hulme Economic Development Agency and the Agency for Economic Development.

MSHEAD has been a leading player in the regeneration of the two communities.

More information on Moss Side and Hulme Agency for Economic Development

Shoreham Walk, Moss Side, MANCHESTER, M15 5LE

Established in the 1960’s Hideaway epitomizes an era of youth commitment, struggle, and achievement for the communities of Moss Side and Hulme particularly during more difficult periods of youth militancy in Manchester.

Greatly influenced by church activities, the centre runs community educational programs for youths excluded from mainstream educational services.

Established in 1973, the centre bears testament to the work of African and Caribbean Black women activists. In its earlier years it was the premier “one stop shop” for a range of advice for all new immigrants to Manchester.

The centre also laid the foundations for the establishment of many other Black people’s projects and improved living conditions from Black people all over the city.

Manchester’s first establishment for homeless Black boys opened in May 1973. Situated at 101 Withington Road it began operations as a Registered Charity and over the years has gone through many different phases and difficulties.

A small Black economic hub with services representing a strong investment in food and the dry goods trade.

Abasindi
In close proximity to the original home name of this church? of Manchester’s oldest Black women’s cultural performance dance group, Abasindi. Formed in 1980, it relocated to the Nello James Centre (Name after C.L.R. James).
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Nello James Centre
Over the years, there have been many projects at this Centre enabling it to make valuable contributions in the development of several pioneering project for African people in this city.
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A Black–led, organisation for ‘Teen and Young Mothers Care’, it focuses on providing a range of services to assist teenagers and young parents in coping with a number of needs for both themselves and their children. Its service delivery includes:

*Training parents in effective parenting skills
*Crèche facilities
*Teaching computing skills to children

Chrysalis maintains linkages with other organisations to encourage partnership working and to maintain links with Community Health Visitors and the Hospital.

More information on Chrysalis Project

The commercial heart of the Black communities. Though there were shopping areas scattered all over Alexandra Road was the hub. Here traders displayed their goods on the street and you could buy anything from dried prawns to the hottest of peppers and yams, long before Safeway’s made sweet potatoes part of the English staple diet. Though it was the 1960s before my father could buy mango from a greengrocers.

Here also buzzed a social life in pubs, clubs and shabeens - the latter, of course, were illegal but still formed part of the club scene, for although security remained tight no one was turned away for the colour of their skin. The most famous shabeen was “Shines” and, of course, The Big Western Hotel remains the centre of the community.

This has been the centre stage of the Moss Side carnival from its inception.

The park is one of the earliest parks developed in the early years of the twentieth century and was the hub of various festivals and leisure activities in Moss Side and adjoining areas.

More information on Alexandra Park

A pioneering and flagship nursery on Demesne Road developed by two Black women in Moss Side. Nursery care is open to all children but its central ethos is ensuring an environment that reflects a Black culture.

More information on Bright Eyes Activity Child Care Centre

MOSHWAF was established by concerned local women specifically to create a base for skill training and employment for women in this community.

Over the past fifteen years of its establishment, it has assisted women from all backgrounds and nationalities in obtaining transferable skills and employment opportunities.

More information on Moss Side and Hulme Womens Action Forum Great Western Street

From as far back as the mid 1960’s, a range of racial issues were challenged through this body.

Its formation, struggles, operation, and achievements in the more formative years were influenced and led by Black people, including several Chairmen of the organisation.

More information on Manchester Council For Community Relations

The late Phil Martin was an inspiration to young people contributing almost single-handed to the development of kickboxing, amateur boxing, and related sports in Moss Side for many years. Phillip’s impact on youth through his craft has been central in the well-being of Moss Side.

Princess Road once offered a range of Black businesses that complimented those on Wilmslow Road. Black commerce and trade was evident in food, clothing, fashion, hair, and beauty outlets.

The 1981 Moss Side Riots and the resulting regeneration of the area forced many of them to close or relocate. The new sectors represented today included music, education, training and telecommunication.

140 Claremont Road MANCHESTER, M14 4RT

One of the oldest Black businesses on the street

Regarded as the HQ of the UK Rastafarian Movement established in 1985. The centre is used extensively for training, youth and education, celebrating events and activities central to the Movement’s faith.

Situated at the corner of Great Western Street and Broadfield Road, Alvino’s famous patties have satisfied appetites for over 40 years.

Community education is the core of the centre. Qualifying students have found employment in academia, culture, and social work.

It also offers courses for elders alongside oral history and reminiscences of Moss Side.

More information on Greenheys Centre

Kru Club(1930-40)

Established by African Seaman as a support system and a social place for wives & families. Members would pay dues each week, which were used for members in hardship and to bury deceased members.

The Singhs Grocery
One of the earliest Asian family businesses in Moss Side it opened for business in the 1960’s and ownership has spanned three generations.

Mr Singh’s son Charlton now runs this shop, presently operating on Great Western Street.

This is an Advice and drop– In centre for the African Caribbean population in this and adjoining communities.

The foremost meeting place for Nigerian nationals in the city. It operates with a very strong Nigerian lifestyle and regularly holds activities for its country’s nationals.

More information on Nigerian Centre