At any time of day or night, Strangeways, the area in the shadow of the Victorian prison tower of HMP Manchester, used to be a hive of activity. This part of Cheetham Hill just north of Manchester city centre was a focus for counterfeit goods hunters.
Even lockdown couldn’t put a stop to the roaring trade, with shops staying open illegally and customers crawling under the almost-closed shutters to bag a bargain.
