X is for......

Adult Entertainment.

Must admit I struggled a bit with his one.

There used to quite a concentration of these shops in Tibb Street but it is now more trendy bar/cafe with the development of the 'Northern quarter'
As you can see some do remain.

Tibb Steet is very old with an interesting (to me) history.

A stream from farmland in Miles Platting made its way alongside Newton Lane (now Oldham Road) and ran into the River Medlock. It was given the title of the River Tibb, and the footpath nearby became known as Tibb Street. The street was frequently flooded by this 'river', which was culverted in 1783.

Since 1821, Smithfield (the area near Tibb Street) has been known as the centre for Manchester's food markets. At its peak around the turn of the century, it was probably the largest market complex in Britain, occupying seven acres.

None of the remaining market buildings are now used for their original purpose, and the wholesale trade has moved into new accommodation away from the city centre, the last to relocate being the fruit and vegetable maket in 1974. There was a trade in livestock wich probably accounts for the pet shops that Tibb Street was once known for.

The last pet shops closed in 2002 and the street began to be known for its many Adult Entertainment estblishments.

In 2005 Tib Street had it's own streaker. A young lady ran naked down the street at 2.45pm for least three Fridays in a row.
No! I am not making it up. It was in the paper!

more a to z of manchester