ONCE it was a busy little street located close to Southampton’s former Hants and Dorset bus station but now Manchester Street is no more.

In the 1970s Manchester Street was home to a number of thriving businesses including hair dresser, Percy Horne, the J&J Snack Bar, shoe repair shop, Gasniers, Atherley dry cleaners, Jack Couzens the bookies, Barclays Bank, three chartered accountants and watchmakers, SJ Menzies.

Although popular with many local people, Manchester Street was swept away in 1988 as part of a huge redevelopment scheme to build The Marlands Shopping Centre.

The only reference that remains today of Manchester Street is the rather pale imitation of the street’s facade inside the modern shopping centre.