Back Piccadilly.
An ongoing project featuring scenes and characters in Back Piccadilly, Manchester. Not just a scruffy back alleyway, but in fact, Manchester’s premier urban cut-through. Running from Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, through to Lena Street, near Piccadilly Station, it’s essentially a service street for loading and refuse collection. The aroma is a blend of hospitality air conditioning outlet with a hint of overflowing giant wheelie bin. Only two active businesses face onto the street.
The background cast is usually delivery drivers, waste collection crews, people on a smoking break, troubled souls or interesting individuals.
The people I meet walking through here fall mainly into two categories:
Locals and commuters who know the city and realise it’s the no-nonsense way to cut through from Northern Quarter to Piccadilly, whilst avoiding the drama and footfall of Piccadilly Gardens.
Nervous and confused visitors (business people, tourists, friends/couples on a city break) that have been shafted by Google Maps and are now dragging their designer wheelie cases through discarded takeaway packaging and broken glass. Trying not to inhale too often.
Dean. Manchester lad but originally from Kenya. He speaks in a calm gentle voice with perfect RP. Dean is a manager on a nearby construction site. I'm still convinced he's been through RADA.
Rosie. Killing time waiting for her partner Jim. They are about to buy a narrowboat. Seriously. I had to get this confirmed later as it sounds like a windup to people of a certain age.
DJ from Ardwick, powering his way towards Lever Street. Happy to pause his mission for a few seconds though.
Cathy beaming back at the sun on her lunch break. Back in Manchester to do her PhD in Refugee Law. Busy times.
Adam. On a smoke break welcoming the first sunny day of the year.
Davide from Lisbon. No further info due to language barrier. I think he thought he was being mugged.
Alex. The only person that actually requested a portrait. He'd clearly had a great day with his friends.
Mo, in town to sort his permit and paperwork for a new construction job.
Jen. A teacher in a nearby school. Originally from Spain, she walked with pace and purpose. I don't normally approach people who look in a rush but her hat and hair combo overruled any such etiquette.
Bernard. A London based classical musician and photographer. Currently in town to work with the Manchester Hallé Orchestra.
Back Piccadilly and China Lane. A couple of fashion houses have their HQ here. Three times a day this becomes the busiest cross section full of the young and stylish.
Dad and son, Sennen and Nick. In town for Sennen's 16th birthday. Nick has a history with this street, pointing out a doorway where he was nearly stabbed after a DJ set in the 90s.
Niki. A calm and friendly encounter amongst the louder 'characters' at the junction with Oldham Street.
Shayan. Manchester born and bred. Happy to stop for a picture but not feeling the small talk today. I get that.
Clampdown Records. Corner of Paton Street and Back Piccadilly.
Craig and Kerry. Just in town for the day from Sheffield, so Craig can meet his new employers.
Sachas. Have you ever? Years ago. Maybe.
Betsy. Lifted my morning and set me on a roll.
Ghada. On a break from language school. She asked me to guess her nationality. I failed. Badly.
Tony and Tilly on an evening walk after one of the hottest days of the year.
Lunch break.
Marlene is from Dundee but has lived in Manchester for years, her amazing accent is unaffected.
Exodus.
Tito. Beats. Coffee. Commute.
Nick. Getting organised ahead of his daughter's graduation later that day.
Margaret. Wears her voice controlled smart phone in her headscarf because of arthritis. Genius.
Rose. On her way to work in a bookshop. Rose doesn't do social media. Be like Rose.
Walking and reading. Life skill.
Abdul. His family have run Café Marhaba for over 30 years. Still got a loyal weekday crowd.
Mia. A student on her way to a bar for a job interview. Loved the way she was still happy to stop.