 canal street, the centre of the manchester gay village, is a street in manchester city centre in north west england. the pedestrianised street, which runs along the west side of the rochdale canal, is lined with gay bars and restaurants. at night time, and in daytime in the warmer months, the street is filled with visitors, often including gay and lesbian tourists from all over the world. the northern end of the street meets minshull street and the southern meets princess street; part of the street looks across the rochdale canal into sackville park. == history == canal street developed when the rochdale canal was constructed in 1804, a trade artery running through the city. pubs and other businesses evolved to service the users of the canal, especially the people stopping at the lock nearby. not until the 20th century, however, did the area first begin to be properly associated with gay people. by the 1960s, usage of the canal had greatly declined due to competition from other methods of transport.history of the rochdale canal retrieved 2 april 2008 whilst assuming the form of an industrial area full of cotton factories, by night the area was a red-light district. with the collapse of the cotton industry in northern england, the area suffered urban decay. the area along the canal was perfect for gay men to meet clandestinely as it was dark and unvisited, but was near to good transport links such as oxford road and piccadilly railway stations.history: canal street, manchester's gay village; by jon atkin retrieved on 13 september 2008 by the 1980s, james anderton, chief constable of greater manchester, an evangelical christian, had accused gays of "swirling in a cesspit of their own making". according to beatrix campbell, writing for the guardian, anderton "encouraged his officers to stalk its dank alleys and exp
Gay_villages_in_England History_of_Manchester Pedestrian_streets_in_the_United_Kingdom Restaurant_districts_and_streets_in_England Streets_in_Manchester Visitor_attractions_in_Manchester