For many people in Greater Manchester, Cheetham Hill has essentially become a by-word for fake designer gear. The stretch of Bury New Road close to Strangeways prison has been known by the notorious moniker ‘Counterfeit Street’ for quite some time and the area’s reputation precedes it.
Earlier this week, Manchester Evening News reported that plans are in place for a number of buildings along the road to be closed, compulsory purchased, and then bulldozed. That same day, one building was raided and 20 tonnes of counterfeit goods were found.
As the building was already subject to a closure order, the retail units could only be accessed after heading down a very shady looking back alley, through a back door and then via a maze of staircases. It took cops two days to bag up all their evidence and leave the scene.
