From rural village to hotspot: Whitefield is Manchester’s new Northern Quarter

Cait Naven | 17th February 2018

Whitefield is evolving and changing from being a rural village famous for its handloom weaving in the early 18th century into Manchester’s latest hotspot for fine dining restaurants and cocktail bars. Viva went to find out more.

Between 1950 and 1970 around 20,000 people settled in the area and started their lives here. Whitefield’s population exploded and the growing community brought new opportunities.

During this time Whitefield had a booming high street famous for its long row of superb shops. Now picture Whitefield in its glory days flourishing with local businesses…

Butchers, bakers, pubs and pie shops.

Fruit stalls and florists.

What more could you want? And all within walking distance!

People who lived here during that time often talk about the wonderful businesses the area had to offer.

Well history does repeat itself as those fondly remembered establishments are coming back with a modern kick.

Now if you were to take a walk down that exact same road you would see a very different Whitefield.

Instead you would now pass; a burger joint, a chocolatiers a wine tasters, a gym, three bars, six restaurants, 15 pubs and 20 beauty salons.

Still packed tight with local businesses. Still has a lot to offer. Always changing. But very different.

Although the new Whitefield has a lot of positive aspects, has it lost important parts of its history?

Around 15 years ago the small, 60s style, shopping centre was completely knocked down and in its place a big gym with an expensive membership was built. So something as simple as a gym began this burst of gentrification.

Peter Corbally, member of the Prestwich and Whitefield heritage society, said: “The area here is one of the wealthiest around. Even looking at the Marks and Spencers they’ve targeted us because its a middle class affluent area.

“The library is shutting because people can afford kindles and laptops and don’t need books anymore. Now that is gentrification because the middle class don’t need it anymore so its shutting.”

Peter has lived here for over 50 years and has seen first hand the changing nature of this popular community.

“A really popular well known pub The Maisonettes has now become Slattery’s chocolatiers so its interesting what people want in the area now instead of pubs.”

Being a part of the Heritage Society, he has a strong bond with the residents and great knowledge of Whitefield’s history.

“I think we’ve lost a sense of local community but perhaps these places are bringing that back.

Overall theres been a positive reaction from the community, its a town centre and you can not imagine Whitefield without it.”

 

So how do businessmen and women view Whitefield?

The Northern Crafthouse is a restaurant and bar that opened in Whitefield eleven months ago. As one of the many new business’ this is the most popular and has a continuous flow of customers every week from all places and of all ages.

Alex Dixon, manager of the Northern Crafthouse, said: “We’ve not done anything to specifically target anyone. I think that it’s the fact that it’s a relaxed atmosphere, we don’t have bouncers and we try to boost prices to keep some people out that would put other people off coming in. That way we don’t have people coming in paying £2 for a pint on a Saturday night and starting fights.”

Alex’s main attraction to Whitefield was the location and the local residents. There is a lot of competition in the area with the amount of restaurants and bars, and business owners are targeting places further away from Manchester city centre.

“I don’t know whether it’s to do with the fact that Prestwich has been on the rise for a while now so it’s sort of been running out of venues. The housing estates bring a lot of people but also people are willing to travel anyway. We get people from all around; Scotland, Liverpool, down south and Chester.

“It’s weird because working at The Sir Robert Peel (Sunnybank Road) you see the same faces every single week, every single year, whereas in here you can come in one week and another week and you won’t see the same people. It’s completely different.”

Album 1

Slattery's Cake ShopPorada Italian restaurantThe Northern CrafthouseMezzaluna PizzeriaRoma CafeManchester 8 restaurantIvory restaurantOne 88 restaurantThe Vine Brasserie wine bar
What do you think?

Viva created an online questionnaire which revealed that 100% of people agree that the gentrification of Whitefield is beneficial to the area.

But, what did people have to say about it when asked to comment?

Overall the reaction from the residents was positive, people like the variety, the quality and the option of going out locally.

Jane Hales, 48, said: “The new bars and restaurants help the image of Whitefield and make it a lot more appealing to people. Also it has meant that Whitefield is wider recognised by people and that makes it a desirable place to live.”

Although one resident aged 57 thought that there was “too much competition and not enough demand.”

Many people of the younger generation commented on how they are worried about not being able to afford to live in the same area they grew up.

According to Rightmove during the last year, sold prices in Whitefield were 7% up on the previous year and 17% up on 2008 when the average house price was £179,844.

Have your say! Take our survey at surveymonkey.co.uk

For more details:

8 Manchester Chinese restaurant, 260 Bury New Road.

Ivory bar and grill, 190-194 Bury New Road.

Mezzaluna, 277 Bury New Road.

Northern Crafthouse, 271 Bury New Road.

One 88 restaurant, 188 Bury New Road.

Porada Italian restaurant, 231 Bury New Road, live entertainment every Wednesday, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

Roma cafe and deli, 268 Bury New Road.

Slattery’s, 197 Bury New Road.

The Vine restaurant, 184 Bury New Road.