'My mam used to take me to work in Murrays' Mills in…

'My mam used to take me to work in Murrays' Mills in Ancoats in the 60s'

Manchester and music go hand-in-hand like a Bank Holiday and a thunderstorm. One follows the other.

And feeding that ever-growing appetite for records is Colin White, who owns Vinyl Revival in the Northern Quarter. He’s been in business for a quarter of a century now, and has seen the city change around him.

Born in Ardwick, partially raised in Ancoats’ factories before their death and rebirth, Colin has seen it all. A Manc through-and-through, he’s proud of his city, and his place within it.

So, what does he think of his hometown — and how it’s changed in the last 20 years?

Where’s your favourite hidden gem?

My favourite building is the John Rylands Library, that’s the best building in Manchester. I don’t know if there are any hidden gems, I’ve been here 25 years so I know every place. Your hidden gem is going to be different to someone else’s.

My favourite bar at the moment is Movement on Tib Street, because it’s got a good little atmosphere, you know? You don’t get any idiots in there, and they put the football on and it’s always quiet. That’s my hidden gem.

What’s your favourite view of the city or in the city?

I remember the time before we had all the high-rise flats. My favourite area of the city is Ancoats, I just think it’s really cool and a nice place to relax on Cutting Room Square and on the canals.

My mam used to work in Murrays' Mills when it was a factory in the 60s. I was born in Ardwick and she used to take me to work in the 60s when she used to work there, I was about three. I have a lot of memories of that area.

Colin's had his shop here for 25 years (Anthony Moss | Manchester Evening News)

Where’s best to go for your dinner in town?

We’re spoiled for choice now, we never used to be! When I opened up we only had this Rustica, and before that it was a little sandwich bar that literally had ham, cheese, tomato, and lettuce — that was your choice!

My favourite place to eat is probably Canto. I get the picky menu, and my mate owns it so there you go!

Where would you take someone to show them the real Manchester?

It’s changed dramatically now. I think the best way for anyone to see Manchester is to go on one of the music tours. They take you to the Boardwalk and all the old venues, and where the Hacienda used to be.

I’ve lived and breathed it since I was a kid. It’s just town to me, I don’t differentiate different parts of it.

What’s your favourite Mancunian neighbourhood?

I’d say Ancoats, not New Islington! Ancoats.

What are the five words that best describe the city?

Eclectic, a catalyst, inspirational, changing, and soulful. The city’s still got its soul. It’s hard to do it in five words, they’d be more sentences.