Week 2 of your responses

We have tried to  cover several more of your reactions to the current debate on the 'future' of The Gay Village..

Geoff S says.."Some of the businesses are absolutely desperate for change. Unfortunately it'll never come to the Canal Street area because others will hang on until the bitter end.

It isn't just the village though, and sorry to say because I used to love the place (first moved here in 1981), but Manchester has become a stagnant, plastic city with no real culture. There's never any political change and I believe much of what goes on behind the scenes is corrupt and motivated by personal greed.

Far from being regenerated, the great things that Manchester had going for it are gradually being dismantled, demolished or compromised. The life and integrity that the city had, even when run down have gone.

I'm not sure whether it will decline gradually or perhaps fall off a cliff one day".

Genevieve M B  says.. "As a frequent visitor, I can say that for the most part, people in the village are well behaved, & that prejudice motivated slurs are not helpful".

Dawn S  says..
"Some of our best nights out down canal street x"

"As an independent operator in The Village I am very pleased to say that I'm a part of it. Yes there's a place for cheaper drinks venues, for large busy clubs, for student venues, dancier venues & smaller intimate friendly venues like mine. It's because it's so diverse that its so great, and it's a shame that a small minority brought into the area by the take aways & taxi firms are dragging all us venues good work down."

Stuart Donnelly
Icon Bar

"RE THE RESENT COMMENT'S ABOUT CANAL STREET.
MAYBE THE VILLAGE OWNER'S NEED TO GET OUT THE OLD QUEER AS FOLK DVD .
TWO LINES ON THERE COME TO MIND.
1. THERE'S SUM RIGHT TWATS THAT GET DOWN THERE?
2.IF YOU WANT DICK HEADS PICK A BUILDING-ANY BUILDING?
IV'E BEEN WALKING PAST MANTO'S FOR THE LAST FEW YEAR'S AND ALWAYS THINK TO MYSELF
WONDER WHY IT'S EMPTY? HOPE THE REFURB INCLUDES THE TOILETS AND THE BADLY TRAINED
BAR STAFF.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS I FIND THAT TARTING VENUE'S UP WILL NOT REMOVE IS THE AMOUNT OF BEGGERS THAT ARE AROUND .A FEW YEARS AGO I EVEN HAD ONE FOLLOW ME INTO A WELL KNOWN BAR AND PESTER ME WHILE I WAS WAITING TO BE SERVED.I FIND THAT THESE PEOPLE
THINK THE GAYS ARE EASY TARGET AND (LETS GO DOWN TO THE VILLAGE TO GET SUM MONEY)
KARNY SAID HE WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT BEGGERS REPORTED ON MARKET STREET LAST YEAR
IN THE MEN BUT NOBODY HAS DELT WITH IT ON CANAL STREET.
HAVING SEEN THE VILLAGE VIDEO ON U TUBE .I THINK THE VANILA OWNER HAS THE RIGHT ATITUDE.
I THINK THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ANTI SOCIAL IDEA OF STOPING PEOPLE BUYING A DRINK IN
ONE BAR AND WAKING DOWN TO ANOTHER AND SITTING OUTSIDE IT AFTER MEETING FRIENDS
WAS A BAD IDEA.IV'E SEEN PEOPLE ARGUE WITH DOOR STAFF ABOUT SITTING HERE AND THERE.
just a few thoughts"
regards
david.

Pete Foxen-Durnien says.. "Being new to this wonderful city it's tricky for me to comment on what 'was' the village previously. I can say that I would agree with the comments about the village becoming a tourist trap for Hen doos - this is never a good thing for customers, genuine customers and business's alike - I've never seen hen doos in Shoreditch, London when I lived there. Door policy would help, for sure. Where drink prices are concerned, once one venue changes the prices and offerings everyone else feels that they need too for business sake. As I say, I'm new to this historic and wonderful city. One thing is certain, the village will rise again and I can't wait to be part of it"..

Dan S  says. "I find the village particularly safe. I don't particularly agree with this article and I am suspicious of the motive behind it. There are plenty of parts of Manchester city centre that need more attention".

INFO@CANAL-ST.CO.UK  as ever, if you need to contact us.

Published: 11-Apr-2013: (1859)