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Wythenshawe

2025-06-21T05:20:18Z

2A0A:EF40:513:2201:495A:5402:45C:177A: /* Parks */ excessive advertising

{{short description|Area of South Manchester, England}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| map_type = Greater Manchester
| official_name = Wythenshawe
| population = 110,000
| coordinates = {{coord|53.392|-2.264|display=inline,title}}
| static_image_name = Wythenshawe Civic Centre (2).jpg
| static_image_caption = Civic Centre
| metropolitan_borough = [[Manchester]]
| metropolitan_county = [[Greater Manchester]]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Wythenshawe and Sale East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wythenshawe and Sale East]]
| post_town = MANCHESTER
| postcode_district = M22 and M23
| postcode_area = M
| dial_code = 0161
| os_grid_reference = SJ824884
| london_distance =
| population_demonym =
| type = Suburb
}}
[[File:Wythenshawe Forum - geograph.org.uk - 2651497.jpg|thumb|View of Civic Centre from ASDA car park]]
'''Wythenshawe''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|ð|ən|ʃ|ɔː}}) is an area of [[Manchester]], England. [[Historic counties of England|Historically]] part of [[Cheshire]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/place_page.jsp?p_id=24312&st=WYTHENSHAWE |title=Wythenshawe |publisher=Vision of Britain Through Time |access-date=26 November 2011}}</ref> in 1931 Wythenshawe was transferred to the City of Manchester, which had begun building a large housing estate there in the 1920s. With an area of approximately {{convert|11|mi2}}, Wythenshawe became the largest [[Public housing#United Kingdom|council estate]] in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/all-about/wythenshawe |title=All About Wythenshawe |access-date=30 March 2016 |work=Manchester Evening News }}</ref><ref name="History of the Estate">{{cite web | first=Derick |last=Deakin | title=History of the Estate | work=Wythit
|url=http://www.wythit.com/wythit/Local_Activities/Local_History/Default.aspx?CmsContentID=1098 |access-date=30 September 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929103327/http://www.wythit.com/wythit/Local_Activities/Local_History/Default.aspx?CmsContentID=1098 |archive-date=2007-09-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Halle-Richards |first1=Sophie |title=One hundred years ago a man had a dream - and that dream was Wythenshawe |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/one-hundred-years-ago-man-17445301 |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=30 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

Wythenshawe includes the areas of [[Baguley]], [[Benchill]], [[Peel Hall, Wythenshawe|Peel Hall]], [[Newall Green]], [[Woodhouse Park]], [[#Moss Nook|Moss Nook]], [[Northern Moor]], [[Northenden]] and [[Sharston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500110/wythenshawe_regeneration/2422/wythenshawe_strategic_regeneration_framework |title=Manchester City Council - Wythenshawe Strategic Regeneration Framework |publisher=Manchester.gov.uk |access-date=14 February 2014}}</ref>
[[File:St Luke the Physician, Benchill - geograph.org.uk - 403144.jpg|thumb|St Luke the Physician Church, Brownley Rd]]

==History==
[[File:Wyhtenshawe Hall in 2005.jpg|thumb|240px|[[Wythenshawe Hall]], a former [[stately home]] and local landmark in Wythenshawe Park]]The name Wythenshawe seems to come from the [[Old English language|Old English]] ''wiðign'' = "[[withy|withy tree]]" and ''sceaga'' = "wood" (compare dialectal word [[Shaw (woodland)|shaw]]). The three ancient townships of [[Northenden]], [[Baguley]], and [[Northen Etchells]] formally became the present-day Wythenshawe when they were merged with Manchester in 1931. Until then, the name was only used to refer to [[Wythenshawe Hall]] and its grounds.<ref name="History of the Estate" />{{rp|1–2}}

Due to spending cuts, the hall was temporarily closed to the public in 2010.<ref name="ManchesterCouncil">{{cite web | url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200073/parks_playgrounds_and_open_spaces/2242/wythenshawe_park/6 | title=Wythenshawe Park: The Hall | publisher=Manchester Council}}</ref> One proposition was that [[Manchester City Council]] could sell the building to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1422304_budget-crisis-could-lead-manchester-council-to-give-away-heaton-hall-and-wythenshawe-hall|title=Budget crisis could lead Manchester Council to give away Heaton Hall and Wythenshawe Hall|work=Manchester Evening News|date=1 June 2011|last=Linton|first=Deborah|publisher=M.E.N. Media}}</ref>
A Friends Group was formed to support monthly open days and events at the hall.<ref>{{cite web|title=Friends of Wythenshaw Hall |url=http://www.wythenshawehall.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110200449/http://www.wythenshawehall.com/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=10 November 2013 |publisher=Friends of Wythenshaw Hall |access-date=10 November 2013}}</ref> In March 2016, the hall's roof, one of its upper floors and its clock tower were severely damaged by a fire in an arson attack.<ref name="BBC_15Mar16">{{cite news |title=Fire destroys roof of historic Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-35809417 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=15 March 2016 |access-date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-35820983|title=Fire at Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester was 'arson'|date=16 March 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref>

Immediately south of Wythenshawe is [[Manchester Airport]], formerly called [[Ringway, Greater Manchester|Ringway Airport]].<ref name="ringway-airport">{{cite web| url= https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/ringway-airport | title=Ringway Airport | work=A Biographical Dictionary of the Architects of Greater Manchester, 1800–1940 | first=Neil | last=Darlington | publisher=[[The Victorian Society]] | date=2024 | accessdate=30 December 2024 }}</ref> Before Ringway Airport was laid out, three farm fields between Rackhouse Road and Wythenshawe Road in Northern Moor, in what is now the north edge of Wythenshawe, were used as [[Manchester (Wythenshawe) Aerodrome]]. This was the UK's first municipal airfield, operating between April 1929 and early 1930. A barn was converted to act as the hangar and a farmhouse as the administration building. Temporary fuel pumps were installed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Scholefield|2004|pp=222–223}}</ref> The last recorded flight from Wythenshawe Airport was on 19 June 1930.
[[File:Aa oldwythenshawe 00.jpg|thumb|Area where [[Manchester Airport]] and Wythenshawe are now, as around 1925]]

Wythenshawe was in the Church of England [[Diocese of Chester]] until 1933, when it was transferred to the neighbouring Diocese of Manchester.<ref name="manybps">{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/05/08/anglican_diocese_feature.shtml | title=Manchester and its many bishops | publisher=[[BBC]] | location=UK | date=8 May 2008 | accessdate=17 February 2009 }}</ref>

[[Wythenshawe Bus Garage]] was built of [[reinforced concrete]] during 1939–42, designed by the Manchester [[City Architect]], [[G. Noel Hill]].<ref name="wythenshawe-bus-garage">{{cite web| url= https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/buildings/wythenshawe-bus-garage-manchester | title=Wythenshawe Bus Garage Manchester | work=A Biographical Dictionary of the Architects of Greater Manchester, 1800–1940 | first=Neil | last=Darlington | publisher=[[The Victorian Society]] | date=2024 | accessdate=30 December 2024 }}</ref> It was taken over by the [[Ministry of Aircraft Production]] and A. V. Roe & Co. Ltd. used it for building [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster aircraft]] during the [[Second World War]]. The building was [[Grade II* listed]] in 2001.<ref name="historicengland">{{cite web| url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1389256 | title=Wythenshawe Bus Depot | publisher=[[Historic England]] | date=13 July 2001 | accessdate=31 December 2024 }}</ref>

==Housing and social history==
Wythenshawe is Manchester's largest district. The massive housing estate that was built there in the 1920s was intended as a "[[Garden city movement|garden city]]", where people could be rehoused away from industrial Manchester. In 1920, town planner [[Patrick Abercrombie]] identified the area as the most suitable undeveloped land for a housing estate close to the city, and {{Cvt|2500|acre}} of land was purchased.<ref name=bbc-2019>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/iZKMPd0wjP/council_housing |title=When council estates were a dream |last=John-Baptiste |first=Ashley |work=BBC News |year=2019 |access-date=8 July 2019}}</ref>

Part of Benchill (not the area southwest of Gladeside Road) and some areas in the north were built before [[World War II]] and called the Wythenshawe Ward of the City of Manchester. The rest was built after the Second World War, starting in the late 1940s as wartime building restrictions were relaxed. Parts of Baguley were still semi-rural in the 1960s, but there is now very little open country left.

The estate was initially built without many shops, amenities or services, and there was very little employment available in the area. Although Northenden already had a shopping area on Palatine Road, the earliest new shops were built in the 1930s and included parades on Hollyhedge Road, and on Altrincham Road in Sharston (the latter was demolished in 1973 to make way for the [[M56 motorway|M56]] Sharston bypass). There were smaller local shops, such as a grocers—selling general household provisions, at Minsterly Parade (Woodhouse Park) and Haveley Circle (Benchill). However, it took decades for some areas of Wythenshawe to get their own neighbourhood shops, which meant residents had to travel or visit a mobile shop van when it visited their area. Various residents' associations were set up to address those problems, but progress was very slow.

After the Second World War, Wythenshawe eventually expanded, with several further shops being built (such as Haveley Circle, built in the early 1950s but demolished in the 1990s) and businesses were attracted to the area with the expansion of the [[Sharston]] [[Industrial Estate]] and, later, the [[#Moss Nook|Moss Nook]] and Roundthorn industrial complexes. Wythenshawe gradually acquired all the amenities and facilities that the original planners had neglected to include with the building of several new schools, shops, pubs, and churches. The area also got its own hospital, and [[Wythenshawe Hospital]] grew out of the earlier Baguley Hospital in 1948. The largest shopping area was built in the 1960s in the town centre, known as the Wythenshawe Civic Centre, which has been expanded further since it was first built. In 1971, the Wythenshawe Forum was opened there, which included a library, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a bar, and a theatre.

From the 1990s to the 2000s, the houses that were built and owned by the council were transferred to the control of local [[housing association]]s, such as Willow Park in east Wythenshawe and Parkway Green in west Wythenshawe. Both associations merged in 2013 to form the Wythenshawe Community Housing Group which is now responsible for around 14,000 homes in Wythenshawe.

In 2007, ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the housing estates in Wythenshawe as representing an "extreme pocket of social deprivation and alienation".<ref>{{cite news | title= How the Young Poor Measure Poverty in Britain: Drink, Drugs and Their Time in Jail | first= Sarah | last= Lyall | date= 10 March 2007 | work= [[The New York Times]] | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/10/world/europe/10britain.html?pagewanted=all}}</ref>

Most of the farm buildings in the Wythenshawe area were demolished when the estate was built. Some of them, like Hollyhedge Farm and Floats Hall, were left among the houses but suffered from vandalism and had to be demolished later. Some of the present housing estates were named after former farms.

Peel Hall Farm (which had a [[moat]]) survived for over 20 years {{clarify|date=March 2016}} as its occupant lived on the proceeds of selling his land, but soon after he left, the property was vandalised and had to be demolished.

Newall Green Farm survived on the edge of the Newall Green housing estate area and was still occupied and run as a farm until the early 21st century when its last occupant died, when it was abandoned and fenced off. The buildings are [[listed building|listed]]. In 2006, a firm bought Newall Green Farm's buildings from Manchester Corporation. On 21 June 2014, vandals set fire to Newall Green Farm, and its roof was destroyed, but there are plans to turn the buildings into a [[Nursing home|care home]] for adults with [[intellectual disability|learning disabilities]], a working farm and a horse-riding centre.<ref>''[[Manchester Evening News]]'', page 21, 27 June 2014</ref>

==Parks==
Wythenshawe has twelve parks and 18 woodland areas including [[Wythenshawe Park]], which was designated a [[Local Nature Reserve]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secure.manchester.gov.uk/directory_record/89324/wythenshawe_park|title=Parks and open spaces - Wythenshawe Park {{!}} Manchester City Council|website=secure.manchester.gov.uk|access-date=2019-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Wythenshawe Park |series=Local Nature Reserves|publisher=Natural England|mode=cs1}}</ref> It covers over {{Cvt|270|acre}} of green space and is home to Manchester's only community farm, [[Wythenshawe community farm]]. At the centre of the park is the historic Wythenshawe Hall with its [[English Civil War|Civil War]] and Tatton heritage. The park also has riding stables, a horticulture centre, children's play area, athletics track, football pitches, tennis courts, bowls, and golfing facilities.

In 2023, [[Lewis Capaldi]] was scheduled to perform at Wythenshawe Park as part of the park’s first-ever major concert series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themanc.com/whats-on-manchester/lewis-capaldi-wythenshawe-park-manchester-gig-tickets/ |title=Lewis Capaldi to play special outdoor gig at Wythenshawe Park |website=themanc.com |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> [[Noel Gallagher]] also announced a homecoming concert with his band [[Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds]]. The show also featured support from [[Primal Scream]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themanc.com/whats-on-manchester/noel-gallaghers-high-flying-birds-wythenshawe-park-tickets-supports-stage-times-gig-guide/ |title=Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at Wythenshawe Park |website=themanc.com |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> In 2024, it was announced that Wythenshawe Park would host another major concert over the August bank holiday weekend. The event featured Manchester band [[New Order (band)|New Order]], joined by special guest [[Johnny Marr]], performing on the first day. The following day, indie pop band [[Blossoms (band)|Blossoms]] headlined, continuing the park’s growing reputation as a prominent outdoor live music venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/new-order-wythenshawe-park-stage-29764994 |title=New Order at Wythenshawe Park |website=manchestereveningnews.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> In 2025, two shows were once again announced, with performances by [[Fontaines D.C.]], [[Kneecap (band)|Kneecap]] and [[Sam Fender]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sam Fender Has Announced A Huge Wythenshawe Park Gig In Manchester This Summer |url=https://secretmanchester.com/sam-fender-wythenshawe-park/ |work=Secret Manchester |date=13 February 2025 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>

Other parks include Hollyhedge Park, Peel Hall Park, Painswick Park, and Baguley Park. Northenden's Riverside Park is the first new park to be established in the city in the 21st century.

==Governance==
The district is under the authority of [[Manchester City Council]].

[[Manchester Wythenshawe]] parliamentary constituency was created in 1950 and represented by [[Alf Morris]] of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] between 1964 and 1997. Before the 1997 election, the boundaries were redrawn and part of the neighbouring area of Sale was included in a new constituency, [[Wythenshawe and Sale East]]. Alf Morris was replaced by [[Paul Goggins]]. It is still considered a safe Labour seat, with Labour securing over 50% of the vote (and more than twice as many votes as its nearest rival) in [[Wythenshawe and Sale East (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections|the 1997, 2001 and 2005 elections]]. Labour kept the seat in the 2010 elections, though their share of the vote decreased to 44.1%. In early 2014, following the death of Paul Goggins, a [[2014 Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election|by-election]] was held. Labour candidate [[Mike Kane]] (a Northenden councillor until 2008) won the seat with 55.3% of the vote, although voter turnout was low (28%). The [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] saw the largest vote share for Labour in the history of both the current and former Wythenshawe seat with 62.2% of the vote and a 15,000 majority, although the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 election]] saw this fall back to previous levels with a majority of 10,396 and a 53.3% share of the vote.

At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK Census]], Wythenshawe was divided into six local government [[Ward (politics)|wards]]: [[Baguley]], [[Benchill]], [[Northenden]], [[Sharston]], [[Woodhouse Park]] and [[Brooklands, Manchester|Brooklands]] (the latter being an area divided with the neighbouring borough of [[Trafford]]). Each ward was represented by three local councillors, giving Wythenshawe 21 of the 99 seats on Manchester City Council. Following a review by the [[Boundary Commissions (United Kingdom)|Boundary Committee for England]] published in 2003, the ward of Benchill was abolished, and its former territory was divided between the wards of Northenden, Sharston, and Woodhouse Park.<ref>{{cite web|title=Draft recommendations on the future electoral arrangements for Manchester |publisher=The Electoral Commission |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/file/0004/6538/Manchester_D_8002-7032__E__.pdf |date=February 2003 |access-date=16 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327152034/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/file/0004/6538/Manchester_D_8002-7032__E__.pdf |archive-date=27 March 2009 }}</ref>

Wythenshawe typically returns all Labour councillors in local elections, although in the [[2008 United Kingdom local elections|2008 elections]] the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] gained a seat in [[Northenden]] and a second seat (in the same area) in the [[2010 United Kingdom local elections|2010 elections]]. Labour regained these seats in the [[2012 United Kingdom local elections|2012]] and [[2014 United Kingdom local elections|2014 elections]]. The [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] have gained councillors in the Woodhouse Park ward in the [[2021 Manchester City Council election|2021]], [[2022 Manchester City Council election|2022]], and [[2023 Manchester City Council election|2023]]
elections.

==Geography==
Wythenshawe is {{convert|8|mi|0}} south of [[Manchester city centre]] and is the southernmost district of the city. [[Altrincham]] and [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]] lie to the south-west, [[Sale, Greater Manchester|Sale]] to the north-west, [[Gatley]] and [[Heald Green]] to the east, and [[Manchester Airport]] to the south.

'''Shadow Moss''' is an area south of Ringway Road in the southeast corner of Wythenshawe. On [[:File:Aa oldwythenshawe 00.jpg|this old map of Wythenshawe]] it is roughly the rectangular area between three country lanes with '''Heyhead''' at its northwest corner.<ref>Wythenshawe, A History of the [[Township (England)|township]]s of [[Northenden]], Northen Etchells and [[Baguley]], Volume 1: 10 1926, edited by W. H. Shercliff, {{ISBN|0-85972-008-X}}, published by Northenden Civic Society 1974</ref> On modern maps, its north edge is the southern branch of Ringway Road. It was partly in Northen Etchells township and partly in [[Styal]] parish. For many centuries it was a [[peat bog]] which was dug for [[peat]] fuel, locally called "turf"; local [[manorial]] law said that after digging peat the top living plant layer had to be lodged back to let more peat form afterwards. Each man's allocated part of the Moss was called his "moss room".

In the 19th century, [[Manorialism|manor]]ial control was lost over what people used their moss rooms for, and an 1839 [[tithe]] map of Northen Etchells shows Northen Etchells's part of Shadow Moss as about 2/3 [[arable land|arable]], about 1/3 [[meadow]], one field as [[pasture]], and one field as "uncultivated moors".<ref>W. H. Shercliff, 1974, page 3</ref>

Later, the fertile [[Carrington Moss#Flora and fauna|lowland peat]] soil led to the area being much used for [[market gardening]], with large areas under [[greenhouse]]s. Of the people who worked there, many lived in Heyhead.

Around 1970, Heyhead was a small settlement at the south end of Woodhouse Lane and the nearby part of Ringway Road. It comprised several [[terrace house]]s, a small shop, two or more old cottages, a [[chapel]], and the Ringway Haulage Company. [[Manchester Airport]]'s ground-level car parking has been displaced from other areas and car parks have been formed to the north and south of the runways and under the approach path. The Heyhead area has been progressively replaced by level car parks, and by 2011 all of Heyhead's buildings had vanished (see [[History of Manchester Airport#Expansion]]).

Some greenhouses remain at the far east of the Shadow Moss area, but are used by private car parking operators. The last market gardener there, who grew tomatoes, closed in 2011 due to competition from highly mechanized greenhouse establishments elsewhere.

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring districts and places.'''
|Northwest = [[Sale Moor]]
|North = [[Northenden]]
|Northeast = [[Gatley]]
|West = [[Timperley]]
|Centre = Wythenshawe
|East = [[Gatley]]/[[Heald Green]]
|Southwest = [[Hale, Greater Manchester|Hale]]
|South = [[Manchester Airport]]
|Southeast = [[Heald Green]]
}}

==Public services==
Wythenshawe is policed by the city of Manchester Division of [[Greater Manchester Police]]. Wythenshawe's fire and rescue services are the responsibility of the [[Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service]], and are based at a fire station on Brownley Road.

==Transport==
The [[M56 motorway]], constructed in the 1970s as a continuation of the [[A5103 road]] (Princess Parkway), bisects east and west Wythenshawe. A bypass connecting it to the nearby [[M60 motorway]] was built through Sharston and opened in 1974.

The nearest railway station to Wythenshawe was located adjacent to Longley Lane at the edge of Sharston on the [[Cheshire Lines Railway]] from [[Stockport]] to [[Liverpool Central railway station|Liverpool]]. Named ''Northenden for Wythenshawe'', [[Northenden railway station]] was closed on 30 November 1964.{{sfn|Butt|1995|p=173}} Wythenshawe did not then have a public railway service for several decades, with the nearest stations being located in the neighbouring areas of [[Gatley]], [[Heald Green]] and [[Altrincham]]. A [[Manchester Airport railway station|station at Manchester Airport]] was opened in 1993.

The [[Airport Line (Manchester Metrolink)|Airport Line]] branch of the [[Manchester Metrolink]] tram service includes twelve stops throughout Wythenshawe. The line opened on 3 November 2014, a year ahead of schedule.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Britton|first1=Paul|title=New Metrolink line to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport to open on 3 November – a year ahead of schedule|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/new-metrolink-line-wythenshawe-manchester-7927130|access-date=18 October 2014|work=Manchester Evening News|date=13 October 2014}}</ref> In addition to the building of the new Metrolink lines and stations, a new public transport hub was built in Wythenshawe Town Centre which opened in June 2015 and includes a new bus station and tram stop.

==Economy==
[[File:WythenshaweCivic.jpg|thumb|upright|The Civic Centre in Wythenshawe. The Park Court multi-storey flats at the far end were demolished in 2007, replaced by new retail and office buildings.]]
{{anchor|Moss Nook}}
Approximately 43,000 people work in Wythenshawe. There are four areas of industrial activity (estates)—Moss Nook, Ringway ([[Manchester Airport|Airport Cargo Centre]]), Roundthorn and Sharston. It is home to Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe Hospital (part of [[Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust]]), which are two of the largest employers in the area. Many national and international companies have premises or main offices in Wythenshawe, including [[Timpson (retailer)|Timpson Ltd]], [[HellermannTyton]], [[Virgin Media]], [[Vodafone]] and [[F. Duerr & Sons]].

In 1934, George Hamer Scholes built the Wylex Works to produce electrical accessories.<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/5294335 |publisher=[[IEEE]] |access-date=14 February 2014|doi=10.1049/ji-1.1946.0187 |title=Obituary notices |journal=Journal of the Institution of Electrical Engineers - Part I: General |volume=93 |issue=72 |pages=614–620 |year=1946 |url-access=subscription }}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The company was later acquired by Electrium, which is now under Siemens' ownership.

Several [[greenfield land|greenfield]] and [[greyfield land|greyfield]] sites have been opened up to developers and there are several new housing developments within the area.

The town centre, known as the Civic Centre, was originally built in the 1960s. It expanded over the years and was renovated between 1999 and 2002 to include new stores and other new features, when the city council relinquished ownership and transferred it to [[St. Modwen Properties]]. The main shopping area now includes gates that are locked at night to prevent the vandalism that was seen in previous years. The Forum centre, which opened in 1971, houses a library, leisure centre, swimming pool, cafe and other amenities, has also been renovated in a more modern style. For thirty years it also housed the Forum Theatre, but this closed in 2002 and a health clinic and an adult education facility now occupy its space.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

The '''Golden Garter''' was a prominent nightclub and cabaret venue located in Wythenshawe. It opened its doors on 7 October 1968 with [[Bruce Forsyth]] headlining the opening night performance.The venue had been converted from a bowling alley by the Belle Vue Company of Manchester and quickly gained a reputation as one of Britain's premier showbar theatre restaurants, offering a blend of dining, dancing, and live entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/SacredHeartBaguley/videos/the-golden-garter-in-wythenshawe-was-originally-a-bowling-alley-which-was-conver/1348272208526260 |title=The Golden Garter in Wythenshawe |website=Facebook |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> Throughout its 14-year history, the Golden Garter hosted an array of renowned performers. Notable acts included comedian [[Tommy Cooper]], singer [[Eartha Kitt]], pop icon [[Dusty Springfield]], rock band [[The Hollies]], soul group [[The Temptations]], and the legendary [[Bee Gees]]. These performances contributed to the club's status as a key venue in the UK's entertainment circuit. In 1973, the venue was rebranded as '''The New Golden Garter''', reflecting its evolving identity. However, by the early 1980s, the club faced declining attendance, leading to reduced operating days. The Golden Garter ultimately closed its doors on 31 December 1982, with [[The Fortunes]] being the final act to perform.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegoldengarter.co.uk/home |title=The Golden Garter – Official Site |website=TheGoldenGarter.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

Wythenshawe has seen the closure of several long-standing pubs, including The Benchill (Hollyhedge Road), Greenwood Tree (Greenwood Road), Happy Man, Mountain Ash (Portway), Woodpecker (Selstead Road), Talisman (Oatlands Road), Royal Oak, Royal Thorn, The Sharston (Altrincham Road), and Lantern Inn (Hall Lane).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/lancashire/manchester_m22.html |title=Lost Pubs In Manchester |website=closedpubs.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>
Wythenshawe retains a number of traditional pubs that continue to serve as social hubs in the community. Among those still operating are the Black Boy (Bowland Road), Red Beret, The Cornishman (Cornishway), The Firbank (Firbank Road), Gardeners Arms (Wythenshawe Road), The Jolly Butcher (Petersfield Drive), Newall Green Pub, Red Rose (Greenbrow Road), and Silver Birch (Poundswick Lane).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/areas/wythenshawe/greater-manchester/ |title=Pubs in Wythenshawe |website=pubsgalore.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

In 2007, [[Asda]] opened a new superstore on the site of the old Co-operative store (originally built by [[Woolco]] in the mid-1970s, which also features a [[multi-storey car park]]). A walkway going between the multi-storey car park and the large supermarket building now features a wall mosaic depicting various aspects of the town. After the demolition of two 1960s blocks of multi-storey flats in 2007, new buildings were constructed on the site including a new [[Wilko (retailer)|Wilko]] shop, office premises and a local authority services hub that provides a new frontage for the town centre from its north-facing aspect.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

In June 2022, [[Manchester City Council]] announced the purchase of Wythenshawe town centre from [[St. Modwen Properties]] as part of wider plans to transform the town centre.{{cn|date=November 2022}}

==In the media==
Wythenshawe FM is a community radio station, that has been serving its community since it first began broadcasting on 25 May 2000. Starting as a short-term project from a Radio Regen training course, it quickly grew through extended broadcasts in 2001 and a year-long run in 2002. Since then, it has continued to operate for over two decades, evolving into a fully volunteer-run station operating from the Wythenshawe Forum.<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.wfmradio.org/about |website=Wythenshawe FM |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>

Wythenshawe World is a family-run, fortnightly newspaper serving the M22 and M23 postal districts. Established in 1980 by John Oatway, it distributed 29,000 copies per issue, providing community news, local events, and features relevant to residents. The newspaper ceased publication in 2015. In 2016, the publication was revived by M&Q Media, an independent publisher, aiming to continue its legacy of serving the local community .<ref>{{cite web |title=local newspaper to be revived after buy-out|url=https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/hyperlocal-newspaper-be-revived-after-buy-out/ |website=prolificnorth.co.uk |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>

Wythenshawe was the outdoor filming location for the Channel 4 series ''[[Shameless (UK TV series)|Shameless]]'', which shows various shots of the local tower-blocks, housing estates and other architecture unique to this area. Wythenshawe also housed the outdoor sets for the show, which were built on private property. Production moved from West Gorton (in East Manchester) in early 2007, following disruption to filming caused by local youths.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/226362_shameless_on_the_move|title=Shameless on the move|work=Manchester Evening News|date=24 October 2006|last=Leeming|first=Ciara|publisher=M.E.N. Media}}</ref>

In 2009, [[Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York]] (former wife of [[Prince Andrew, Duke of York|Prince Andrew]]) went to Wythenshawe to make a television documentary for [[ITV1]] entitled ''The Duchess on the Estate''.<ref>[http://www.itv.com/presscentre/theduchessontheestate/ep1wk34/default.html ITV1 (The Duchess On The Estate - press release)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820171037/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/theduchessontheestate/ep1wk34/default.html |date=20 August 2009 }}</ref> In it, she visited the [[Northern Moor]] area of Wythenshawe to meet locals and discuss their way of life, and to open a new local community centre. Both before and after its transmission, the documentary was criticised for being a self-serving publicity stunt by Ferguson and she was also criticised for her patronising attitude towards the local people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/18/duchess-york-northern-moor-estate|title=Duchess of York's TV documentary angers Manchester estate|work=The Guardian|date=18 August 2009|last=Carter|first=Helen|location=London|publisher=Guardian News and Media}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-duchess-on-the-estate-itv1brthe-x-factor-itv1-1776007.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-duchess-on-the-estate-itv1brthe-x-factor-itv1-1776007.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The Duchess on the Estate, ITV1: The X Factor, ITV1|work=The Independent|date=23 August 2009|last=Richman|first=Simmy|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

On 21 September 2023, the concert film [[Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds]] ''Live at Wythenshawe Park, Manchester'' was released.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=27 May 2025 |title=Noel Gallagher shares full stream of 2023 Manchester gig |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/noel-gallagher-shares-full-stream-of-2023-manchester-gig-3502115 |url-status=live |website=NME}}</ref>

==Sport==
Wythenshawe has two football clubs, '''[[Wythenshawe Town F.C.]]''' and '''[[Wythenshawe F.C.]]''', who both were promoted from Level 9 of the football pyramid in 2023-24, and currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One West.

[[File:The Jimmy Egan Centre, Benchill - panoramio.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Jimmy Egan Boxing Academy, Royalthorn Rd.]]

'''Jimmy Egan's Boxing Academy''' is a community-focused boxing club. It was established on 14 January 1980 by Jimmy Egan and has been a cornerstone of local youth
development and amateur boxing. Following Jimmy Egan's passing in 2004, his sons Steve and Shaun Egan continued his legacy, leading the club to produce multiple national champions, including notable boxers such as Tyson Fury, Jimmy "Kilrain" Kelly, Kofi Yates, Hosea Burton, and Macaulay McGowan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/amateur-focus-jimmy-egans-abc/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |title=Amateur focus: Jimmy Egan’s ABC |website=boxingnewsonline.net |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

'''South Manchester Gymnastics Centre''' is a gymnastics facility. Established in 1989 on the former site of Sharston High School, the centre has produced numerous British champions and Olympians, and is considered one of the region’s top training venues. Notable alumni include Kathy Williams, who represented Great Britain as first black Olympian gymnast.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/wythenshawe-gymnastics-club-trains-olympians-16861464 |title=The Wythenshawe gymnastics club that trains Olympians |website=manchestereveningnews.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

==Education==

===Primary schools===
* '''Baguley Hall Primary School'''
* '''Benchill Primary School'''
* '''Button Lane Primary School'''
* '''Crossacres Primary Academy'''
* '''Haveley Hey Community School'''
* '''Newall Green Primary School'''
* '''Peel Hall Primary School'''
* '''Ringway Primary School'''
* '''Sacred Heart RC Primary School'''
* '''St Anthony's RC Primary School'''
* '''St Elizabeth's RC Primary School'''
* '''St Peter's RC Primary School'''
* '''SS John Fisher and Thomas More Catholic Primary School'''
* '''Sandilands Primary School'''
* '''The Willows Primary School'''

===Secondary schools===
* '''[[Dixons Brooklands Academy]]''', located in Baguley. Established in 1967 as Brookway High School.

* '''[[Manchester Enterprise Academy]]''', located on Simonsway. Established in 1999 as Parklands High School.
* '''[[St Paul's Catholic High School]]''', located in Newall Green, is the area's sole Catholic secondary school. Established in 1984.

===SEN===
* '''Ashgate Specialist Support Primary School'''
* '''[[Pioneer House High School]]'''
* '''Piper Hill High School'''
* '''Southern Cross School'''

===Further education===
* '''[[The Manchester College|The Manchester College (Wythenshawe)]]'''

===Former schools===
* '''[[Newall Green High School]]'''
* '''[[Poundswick Grammar School]]'''
* '''[[St Paul's Catholic High School|St Augustine's Grammar School]]'''

==Notable people==

===Music and entertainment===
* '''[[Johnny Marr]]''' – Guitarist and co-songwriter of [[The Smiths]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnny Marr on music, memories and how Manchester made him |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-67623076 |work=BBC News |date=24 December 2023 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Andy Rourke]]''' – Bassist of The Smiths.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tMMOZKC9Og Andy Rourke Interview], ''YouTube''. Retrieved 1 September 2011.</ref>
* '''[[Rob Gretton]]''' – Manager of [[Joy Division]] and co-owner of [[The Haçienda]].<ref>{{cite news |title=New Order's Rob Gretton: What makes a good band manager? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-30547699 |work=BBC News |date=9 January 2015 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Alan Erasmus]]''' – Actor and co-founder of [[Factory Records]] and The Haçienda.<ref>{{cite news |title=Factory Records co-founder Alan Erasmus returns from his |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/factory-records-co-founder-alan-23518563 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=28 March 2022 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Jason Orange]]''' – Singer from [[Take That]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/take-star-jason-orange-watches-5756095 |title=Take That star Jason Orange watches brother's new theatre production - set in his house |last=Bourne |first=Dianne |date=20 August 2013 |work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
* '''[[Paul Young (singer, born 1947)|Paul Young]]''' – Lead singer of [[Mike and the Mechanics]] and [[Sad Café (band)|Sad Café]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Stars pay sad farewell to singer Paul Young |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/stars-pay-sad-farewell-to-singer-1188579 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=17 July 2000 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Slaughter & the Dogs]]''' – Punk band, famously played at [[Free Trade Hall|Lesser Free Trade Hall]] supporting [[Sex Pistols]] in 1976.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slaughter And The Dogs – Do It Dog Style |url=https://wearecult.rocks/slaughter-and-the-dogs |website=We Are Cult |date=16 December 2020 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Freddie Garrity]]''' – Frontman of 1960s pop group [[Freddie and the Dreamers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Freddie and the Dreamers |url=https://manchesterbeat.com/groups1/freddie-and-the-dreamers |website=ManchesterBeat |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Russ North]]''' – Heavy metal vocalist, best known as the lead singer of the band [[Cloven Hoof (band)|Cloven Hoof]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Russ North |url=https://worldmusicianobituaries.org/musicians/russ-north/ |accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[The Nosebleeds]]''' – Punk band. Allegedly featured a young [[Morrissey]] before his time with The Smiths.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Nosebleeds |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/morrissey-punk-band-the-nosebleeds/ |accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Lyn Paul]]''' – Singer and actress, member of [[The New Seekers]]

===Sport===
* '''[[Marcus Rashford]] {{post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE}}''' – [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and [[England national football team|England]] footballer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marcus Rashford makes 'real difference' to Wythenshawe |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-55395443 |work=BBC News |date=25 December 2020 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Tyson Fury]]''' – Heavyweight boxing world champion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tyson Fury: Fists of fury |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/tyson-fury-fists-of-fury-6260261.html |access-date=2 December 2012 |work=The Independent |date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/tyson-fury-fists-of-fury-6260261.html |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
* '''[[Cole Palmer]]''' – [[Chelsea F.C.]] and England footballer.<ref>{{cite news |title=The making of Cole Palmer: How Wythenshawe, home of Tyson Fury and Shameless, formed Cole Palmer |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/04/19/cole-palmer-making-of-wythenshawe-fury-shameless-chelsea/ |work=The Telegraph |date=19 April 2024 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Ravel Morrison]]''' – Former Manchester United and current [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] footballer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man Utd's Ravel Morrison: 'I wrote to Sir Alex Ferguson to apologise' |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-ravel-morrison-news-15839927 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=19 February 2019 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Shay Brennan]]''' – [[Manchester United]] footballer who debuted after the 1958 Munich air disaster.<ref>{{cite web |title=They came to play for Paddy; Nostalgia remembers some of the Manchester United players from the 1960s who reunited for Pat Crerand's testimonial match a decade later |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/They+came+to+play+for+Paddy%3B+Nostalgia+remembers+some+of+the...-a0563541999 |website=The Free Library |date=28 November 2018 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Paul Stewart (footballer, born 1964)|Paul Stewart]]''' – Professional footballer, played for [[Manchester City]], Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and England.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-England star Paul Stewart recognised for safeguarding work |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-66242192 |work=BBC News |date=19 July 2023 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Shay Logan]]''' – Professional footballer, best known for his time at [[Aberdeen F.C.]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Former Don Logan retires |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/ce9kr3ell3eo |work=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2023 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Lukas Nmecha]]''' and '''[[Felix Nmecha]]''' – Brothers and professional footballers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Man City youngster Felix Nmecha reveals what Pep Guardiola told him before debut |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-city-nmecha-guardiola-wiki-13807396 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=23 October 2017 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Anthony Taylor (referee)|Anthony Taylor]]''' – Premier League and international football referee.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anthony Taylor: A Premier League Referee in Focus |url=https://refsix.com/news/anthony-taylor |website=REFSIX |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Alf Wood (footballer, born 1945)|Alf Wood]]''' – Footballer for Manchester City and others, lived in Newall Green and attended Oldwood Junior School.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}
* '''[[Jimmy Kelly (boxer, born 1992)|Jimmy Kelly]]''' – Professional boxer, former [[WBO]] light-middleweight titleholder.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manchester has a new boxing hero as Tyson Fury sparring partner Jimmy Kilrain Kelly shocks world |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/jimmy-kelly-tyson-fury-boxing-23228655 |website=REFSIX |date=26 Feb 2022 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Joe Gallagher (boxing)|Joe Gallagher]]''' – Boxing trainer to world champions [[Anthony Crolla]] and the Smith brothers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Joe Gallagher: Winning 'boxing bible's' trainer of the year award is like getting a knighthood |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/joe-gallagher-winning-boxing-bibles-10754893 |access-date=18 January 2016 |work=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
* '''Jimmy Egan''' – Amateur boxing trainer, known for training [[Ricky Hatton]] and [[David Barnes (boxer)|David Barnes]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/boxing/jimmys-last-count-1131733 |title=Jimmy Egan |website=manchestereveningnews.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''Lewis McGrillen''' – Professional MMA fighter, known as "The McGrizzla". Won the [[Professional Fighters League|PFL]] Europe Bantamweight Championship in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/mma/news/19824/13364732/lewis-mcgrillen-on-winning-one-of-mmas-wildest-ever-fights-i-thrive-in-that-chaos |title=Lewis McGrillen |website=skysports.com |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Andy Morris (boxer)|Andy Morris]]''' – Professional boxer. Former British featherweight champion (2005–2006) and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist (2002).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://boxerlist.com/boxer/andy-morris/131906/ |title=Andy Morris |website=boxerlist.com |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Colin Little]]''' – Former professional footballer. He later became a coach at [[Manchester United F.C. Under-21s and Academy|Manchester United's U18s Academy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Colin Little |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Little |accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Niamh Kinehan]]''' – Professional MMA fighter, former Muay Thai fighter. She is a former multiple time world champion and won the WBC Muay Thai Female Fighter of the Year in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://muaythairecords.com/news/niamh-kinehan-retires-from-muay-thai-signs-multi-fight-mma-deal |title=Niamh Kinehan Retires from Muay Thai, Signs Multi-Fight MMA Deal |website=muaythairecords.com |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

===Acting and television===
* '''[[Caroline Aherne]]''' – Comedienne and actress best known for ''[[The Royle Family]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wythenshawe.btck.co.uk/FamousLocals/CarolineAherne |title=Wythenshawe – Caroline Aherne |website=Wythenshawe.btck.co.uk |access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>
* '''[[John Bradley (English actor)|John Bradley]]''' – Actor, known for portraying [[Samwell Tarly]] in ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4263213/ |title=John Bradley |website=IMDb |access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>
* '''[[Lorraine Cheshire]]''' – Actress, best known for her role in [[Early Doors]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Rooney |first=Brian |title=What a Beautiful World This Will Be |url=https://manchester.nowthenmagazine.com/articles/lorraine-cheshire-what-a-beautiful-world-this-will-be-interview-ackley-bridge-early-doors-manchester |access-date=2 July 2023 |work=Now Then |date=23 April 2021}}</ref>
* '''[[Harry H. Corbett]]''' – Actor, known for his role in [[Steptoe and Son]].<ref>{{cite news |title=A tale of rags to riches |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/a-tale-of-rags-to-riches-947294 |work=Manchester Evening News |date=24 October 2007 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Syd Little]]''' – Comedian, part of the [[Little and Large]] double act.<ref>{{cite news |title=Syd and Eddie |url=https://manchesterbeat.com/groups1/syd-and-eddie |work=ManchesterBeat |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Emily Beecham]]''' – Award-winning actress. She starred in [[Into the Badlands (TV series)|Into the Badlands]] and [[Little Joe (film)|Little Joe]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Emily Beecham |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2387806/|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[David Schofield (actor)|David Schofield]]''' – Actor. Known for his roles in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]'', ''Gladiator'', and various British television dramas.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Schofield (actor) |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-and-tv/living-in-the-material-world-1044460 |accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''Andrew Ellis''' – Actor best known for his role as Gadget in ''[[This Is England]]'' (2006), and its television sequels.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andrew Ellis inspires students |url=https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51047 |accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Don Knight (actor)|Don Knight]]''' – Actor, He worked largely in the United States, and often played tough guys.
* ''[[Coronation Street]]'' actors '''[[Simon Gregson]]''', '''[[Nicholas Cochrane]]''', '''[[Chris Bisson]]''' and '''[[Kevin Kennedy (actor)|Kevin Kennedy]]'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Wythenshawe Garden City |url=https://wythenshaweafc.com/information/wythenshawe-garden-city/ |website=Wythenshawe AFC |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>

===Other===
* '''[[Michael Wood (historian)|Michael Wood]]''' – Historian and broadcaster.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Wood |url=https://www.greatermancunians.blog/michael-wood-historian-manchester |website=Greater Mancunians |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Duncan Hallas]]''' – [[Trotskyist]] leader.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/sep/30/guardianobituaries.obituaries |title=Obituary: Duncan Hallas |first=Jim |last=Higgins |date=30 September 2002 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
* '''[[Kirsty Howard]]''' – Children's hospice campaigner and fundraiser for Francis House Children's Hospice.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manchester fundraiser Kirsty Howard dies aged 20 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-34620913 |work=BBC News |date=24 October 2015 |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''[[Steve McGarry]]''' – Cartoonist and President of the [[National Cartoonists Society]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://stevemcgarry.com/about/ |website=Steve McGarry |access-date=28 May 2025}}</ref>
* '''The Donnelly Brothers''' – Founders of the fashion label Gio-Goi. They have alleged connections to the [[Quality Street Gang]] and were influential in Manchester’s acid house scene.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/rough-trade-how-two-brothers-rose-from-gangsterland-to-create-the-fashion-brand-giogoi-worth-ps40m-then-promptly-lost-the-lot-8899824.html |title=Rough trades |date=27 May 2025 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Manchester}}
*[[Listed buildings in Manchester-M22]]
*[[Listed buildings in Manchester-M23]]
*[[List of council estates in the United Kingdom]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Butt-Stations}}
*{{cite journal |last=Scholefield |first=R. A. |title=Manchester's Early Airfields, an extended chapter in Moving Manchester |journal=Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society |year=2004 |publisher=Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society |issn=0950-4699}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.wythenshawe.btck.co.uk/EarlyDays/Timelines Timeline of events in Wythenshawe's history]
*[http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw017400 1927 air view of Wythenshawe]
*[http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/epw017417?search=baguley&ref=3 1927 air view of Hall Lane and Blackcarr Road area]: note farm workers' cottages and farm buildings west of Baguley Hall, which was then called Maher's Farm and used for [[market gardening]].
{{Manchester}}
{{Greater Manchester}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wythenshawe| ]]
[[Category:Areas of Manchester]]
[[Category:History of Manchester]]
[[Category:Local Nature Reserves in Greater Manchester]]
[[Category:Housing estates in Greater Manchester]]

Sharston

2025-06-21T05:07:58Z

2A0A:EF40:513:2201:495A:5402:45C:177A: /* The Shar-Stone */ lacking relevance and source is dead link

{{Short description|Area of Manchester, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date = March 2019}}
{{Use British English|date = March 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2014}}
{{infobox UK place
| country = England
| map_type = Greater Manchester
| official_name = Sharston
| population = 16,754
| population_ref = (2011)
| coordinates = {{coord|53.3935|-2.2488|display=inline,title}}
| metropolitan_borough = [[Manchester]]
| metropolitan_county = [[Greater Manchester]]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Wythenshawe and Sale East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wythenshawe and Sale East]]
| post_town = MANCHESTER
| postcode_district = M22
| postcode_area = M
| dial_code = 0161
| os_grid_reference = SJ835885
| london_distance =
}}
'''Sharston''' is an area of [[Wythenshawe]], south [[Manchester]], [[England]]. The population at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]] was 16,754.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689222&c=Sharston&d=14&e=62&g=6342268&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1452003134344&enc=1|title=City of Manchester ward population 2011|access-date=5 January 2016}}</ref>

==History==

Built on former farming land (as was most of Wythenshawe when the estate was first being built in the 1920s), the area was initially mostly industrial, with Sharston Industrial Estate containing a [[post office]] (with an area [[sorting office]]), a [[dairy]], a [[Bisto]] factory, and various other businesses.

[[Wythenshawe Bus Garage]] was built in Harling Road off Sharston Road in 1942 by Manchester Corporation Transport Department to house and service 100 double deck buses used on routes to and from the expanding housing estates. It still exists in other use and is a listed building. [[Northenden railway station]] was just off Sharston Road, but closed in late 1964.{{sfnp|Butt|1995|p=173}}

However, more recent boundary changes in the Wythenshawe district now consider Sharston to cover a considerable portion of residential housing along Wythenshawe's east side. The industrial estate consists of sectors named after letters of the Greek alphabet. The Beta sector was once the home of the Ramsees Piso Bush jam factory. This building later became the headquarters of Jam Factory Records who kept most of the original plant machinery to make speciality jams to promote album releases.

A large public swimming baths was opened in the area in March 1961 that was, at the time, Manchester's largest pool (32 metres) and also had multi-level diving facilities. The pool was often used for spectator events with seating for over 800 people. Sharston once had its own shopping parade, built in the 1930s on Altrincham Road (next to the junction of Mullacre Road), but this was demolished in early 1973 when the [[M56 motorway]] Sharston bypass was built through the area (where the M56 connects to the nearby southern section of the [[M60 motorway]]). A new shopping precinct was built directly behind the swimming baths on Sharston Green to replace the soon-to-be demolished shops on Altrincham Road. The new precinct, which opened in early 1973 just before the demolition of the old shops, contained over twenty shops and a bank, as well as new premises for the Wythenshawe Labour Club public house (relocated from Greenwood Road) which was opened by former Prime Minister [[Harold Wilson]] in February 1973. However, the new Sharston Green shopping precinct suffered from poor trading from the outset and was often referred to in the local press as a "[[white elephant]]" which had been badly planned in all respects. By the 1980s, most of the premises were being used for small businesses rather than shops and many premises were empty altogether. In November 1990, [[Manchester City Council]] closed the swimming baths as part of a series of cost-cutting measures. In May 1991, the vacant and now heavily vandalised building was targeted by arsonists. Businesses continued to leave the Sharston Green precinct, and in April 1994 the once-popular Wythenshawe Labour Club closed with debts totaling £100,000. Less than two weeks later, arsonists set fire to the abandoned building. The entire precinct, including the baths, was eventually demolished and the land has since been used for new housing developments. Several pedestrian subway tunnels that linked the area under the busy main roads have now been closed off and replaced with various [[pelican crossing]]s.

Two high schools were also situated in the area. Sharston High School (which later became South Manchester High School - upper) was situated between Brownley Road and Altrincham Road. Among its former pupils was actor [[Harry H Corbett]]. St. Augustine's Grammar School (which became St. John Plessington RC High School in 1977 and then St. Paul's RC High School in the 1980s) was situated at the far end of Stancliffe Road. Of the latter school's more notable alumni are [[Johnny Marr]] and [[Andy Rourke]] of the band [[The Smiths]], who were pupils there from 1975 to 1980. Both schools closed in the 1980s and were demolished. The ground where they stood was used for new housing developments, though part of the ground where St. Augustine's stood has also been used to extend Hollyhedge Park, which now stretches for almost half a mile from Hollyhedge Road to Altrincham Road.

===Sharston Hall===
{{main|Sharston Hall}}
Sharston Hall (from which the area gained its name, which in turn got its name from the Shar Stone, which is located at Rose Hill, in nearby Northenden) was a large house on Altrincham Road. Built in 1701, it was the home of the Worthington and Egerton families for generations before being sold to Manchester Local Authority in 1926, as was the smaller adjoining [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] property, Sharston Manor. The hall was no longer tenanted after 1970 and quickly fell into disrepair. By 1972, it had endured a fire and considerable vandalism after plans to put a youth club in the building proved unsuccessful. Over the course of the next decade, various plans to turn the building into residential flats, offices, a restaurant or even a hotel all failed. By 1983 the building had partially collapsed with some masonry from the roof falling onto Altrincham Road. It was eventually demolished a couple of years later (the equally vandalised Sharston Manor had also been demolished) and a new commercial office building, built in a [[Georgian architecture|Georgian style]], was completed on the site in 1986 along with a new housing development (Grosvenor Gardens). The office building currently houses a private medical clinic. The grounds behind the hall included a small woodland area which led onto Shenton Fields (informally known as "Shent's Fields"), a large recreational field that ran up to the border of neighbouring [[Gatley]] in [[Stockport]]. Although some of the woodland area still stands, the playing fields were turned into an industrial area (Sharston Green Business Park) which was completed in 2001 and contains several large warehouses and business premises.

== Governance ==
{{further|Manchester City Council}}
[[File:Sharston (Manchester City Council ward) 2018.png|thumb|upright|Sharston electoral ward within [[Manchester City Council]]]]
Sharston is part of the [[Wythenshawe and Sale East (UK Parliament constituency)|Wythenshawe and Sale East]] constituency, represented by the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Mike Kane]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Mike Kane MP | url = https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/mike-kane/4316 | website = parliament.uk | publisher = [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] | access-date = 6 January 2018}}</ref>

;Councillors
Sharston is a [[Wards of the United Kingdom|ward]] within the local authority of [[Manchester City Council]]. The ward is represented by three [[Councillor]]s:
* Tim Whiston (Lab)
* Emma Taylor (Lab)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=177 | title=Councillor details - Councillor Emma Taylor }}</ref>
* Tommy Judge (Lab)<ref>{{cite web | title = Councillor Tommy Judge | url = http://www.manchester.gov.uk/site/custom_scripts/councillors/index.php?cllr-id=116&cllr-type=id | website = manchester.gov.uk | publisher = Manchester City Council | access-date = 6 January 2018}}</ref>

==Public services==
Sharston is policed by the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team, part of the South Manchester Division of [[Greater Manchester Police]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens |isbn=1-85260-508-1 }}
{{refend}}

{{Manchester}}

[[Category:Areas of Manchester]]
[[Category:Manchester City Council Wards]]
[[Category:British country houses destroyed in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Wythenshawe]]