Albert Square, Manchester

I spent my youth overlooking Albert Square, I worked from Carlton House overlooking the square for five years and during that time, come summer, autumn, winter and spring, I enjoyed all the events and activities with the changing seasons.
It was a great place to people watch. A great place to sit down with my sarnies on lunch breaks (weather permitting) and a place I caught my cabs home from, late at night.
It holds wonderful memories over many years when New Years were celebrated here – police orchastras played and markets, and christmas trees brought everyone together. Some of you should go back over the archives and see how this hub of this city was, and remains today a popular place for all ages and events.

Manchester was granted the status of the city in 1853, and by that time the city centre had already attracted some criticism. Like the Russian St. Petersburg was build on the marshy grounds, so was Manchester's Albert Square created on the spot of slums. And just like St. Petersburg in Russia, it has become the refined and popular focal point of the city. Its cobbles, monuments, the fountain and the Town Hall in Gothic style all together make Albert Square an impressive public space.

The reconstruction began in 1866, and the centerpiece was the Albert Memorial. It was designed by Thomas Worthington, the same student of John Ruskin's ideas who worked on the Old Crown Court in Minshull St. The square houses the old Town Hall, the Jubilee Fountain, and several statues. It is flanked by Cross St and Princess St, and can be accessed and photographed from various side streets.

In the recent years Albert Square has been the regular venue for Christmas fair as well as some festivals. In 2009 it played the host to the Manchester International Festival Pavilion, the Arts biennale.