Campaigners used the anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre to protest against a proposed new tower block next to a pub linked to the infamous tragedy.
Today, Tuesday, August 16, marked the 203rd anniversary of the massacre where armed cavalry attacked a peaceful rally of around 60,000 pro-democracy reformers in what was then St Peter's Field, near what is today St Peter's Square, in Manchester city centre killing an estimated 18 people and injuring around 700 others.
It is seen as one of the most pivotal moments in British history. Members of the Peterloo Memorial campaign today gathered at the memorial outside Manchester Central where the names of all the known victims, and some facts about them, were read aloud.
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A minute's silence was also held in their memory and flowers laid on the memorial which was opened in 2019.
Members of the group then held a demonstration next to the Briton's Protection pub. The legendary city centre watering hole, on the corner of of Albion Street and Great Bridgewater Street dates back to 1811.
Local experts say it is one of only three buildings, along with the Friend's Meeting House and The Sir Ralph Abercromby pub off Deansgate, from the time of the massacre still standing in the area of St Peter's Field.
Folklore says some of the injured were brought to the Briton's Protection after the attack and the pub has historically helped preserve the memory of the atrocity. Its sign depicts a scene from the massacre and there are murals on the walls inside.
A developer has applied for planning permission to build a 26-storey office and apartment block,. which would be called Apex Tower, on a tiny car park next door to the pub.
Following the Peterloo memorial event campaigners marched to pub and held a demo on the car park. The group, which successfully lobbied for a permanent monument to commemorate the massacre, say they believe the proposed skyscraper would be an 'insult' to what is a key part of the city's history.
Those behind the scheme refute this and say it has been specifically designed to 'enhance and preserve' the pub.
However, the angry protesters held up placards saying 'No tower here' and 'Do the right thing M.C.C' aimed at the city council whose planning committee will make a decision on the application in due course.
They also released balloons in the air in a bid to demonstrate the height of the proposed 310ft tower.
Paul Fitzgerald, founder and chair of the Peterloo Memorial campaign, said he believed the plans were a "giant finger to the people of Manchester" and were "completely out of order."
"The placing of such an overwhelmingly tall, incongruous tower jammed right up against this deeply historic pub would be a gross insult to our democratic heritage," he said.
"It, and the second tall building proposed for the other side, will turn the cherished beer garden into a grim dark workhouse exercise yard, with some picnic tables in it, threatening the financial future of one of Manchester's best-loved and most significant pubs."
"This ridiculous development has already been nicknamed 'Flat Stanley', and is the subject of widespread derision and outrage" he added. "If it goes ahead, it'll become a laughing stock, symbolising overseas investment in the city arrogantly trampling on our local history."
Fellow member of the campaign, Robert Poole, a history professor and author of a book called on the massacre called Peterloo: The English Uprising said: "The pub will be sandwiched and made to look ridiculous. It'll make Manchester a laughing stock.
"And yet Visit Manchester used it in a video to promote the city, with Peterloo actor Neil Bell, saying 'what better place to start when exploring the city than here.' We agree. So surely they can't pass this through."
Stuart Cooper, 52, said: "It's such a historic building. There are stories of the injured being brought here afterwards. And people will have come here to discuss it and talk about their shock at what just happened.
"But the whole character of it will be completely changed. The side of the building will be obscured, the beer garden will be overshadowed. And once that's damaged you can never get it back.
"You're seeing lots of these skyscrapers in Manchester and some of them are appropriate, but we really don't think this one is."
Martin Gittins, 69, from Smedley, said: "I just think there are enough other places they could build this which are much more suitable. It's one of the few places in Manchester from that period, we need to protect it all costs."
Landlord Alan Hudd said: "As well as being a pub in the city centre, it's a destination venue. We've got the visualisations inside the pub of the massacre and people come and ask 'is this where it happened?' If all that gets covered up with a big building at the side of us, what's the point? There's plenty of land you could build why stick it right next to my building."
Developer Arrowsmith has also announced proposals for a seven-storey office and residential block between the Britons Protection and Jury's Inn hotel on Great Bridgewater Street. They claim the proposed skyscraper would 'enhance and preserve' the pub.
After unveiling their plans they said: "At the heart of the design evolution has been the consideration of the Britons Protection and preserving its importance as an historic local landmark and a Grade II listed building. The Apex Tower proposals will enhance, rather than impact, the pub.
"The taller building on the junction of Albion Street is set back significantly to ensure the Britons Protection will remain a prominent and visually distinct building.
"The entrance to the apartments in the tower building will be glassy and transparent and set back from the street edges.
"The right side of the pub, featuring a traditional brick wall and original pub sign, will remain visible as the lower floors of the tower are stepped back, leaving the gable wall almost entirely exposed."
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