Speakers House, Manchester

Tucked between a travel agent and an outlet that keeps changing hands is the entrance to Speakers House. This multistoried building was erected on a bomb site that was used after the war as an equivalent to Hyde Park's 'speakers corner'. By 1963, it seems, city authorities decided that freedom of speech needs not to take up too much space, and so Speakers House went up.

Back in the day the building used to house the American Express offices. Nowadays it is occupied by marketing and media companies, and must be a typical example of 1960s architecture. Interestingly enough, the Mancunian population seem to be all but oblivious to its existence. Considering that before the building there used to be a soapbox, can it be that this is how - with indifference - we also treat our rights?

Speakers House is found at the top end of Deansgate. If you are turning from St Mary's Gate, the glass entrance to the building is currently between Kayoo Travel and Ladbrokes. And if you walking in Deansgate past Moon in the Water, Speakers House is on the opposite side of the road, facing Tesco and Travel Finder.