We are still collecting your thoughts on how the square - including its concrete Japanese pavilion - could be transformed from ‘most hated’ to best-loved landmark in Manchester

Embark on a self-guided audio exploration of Manchester, tailor-made for travelers drawn to the rich tapestry of history and culture. With this in-app audio tour, embark on an immersive cultural expedition at your own pace, delving into the stories that have shaped Manchester's iconic landmarks. Setting out from the Manchester Cathedral, an architectural gem, the tour meanders through the city's heart, leading to Chetham's Library and the majestic John Rylands Library, whispers of a bygone era encased in stone. The tour proceeds to Albert Square and the grandeur of Manchester Town Hall, then to the intriguing fortress of knowledge, the Central Library. Along this journey, travelers will brush shoulders with the music at Bridgewater Hall and take a sneak peek at the Manchester Opera House, the home of spellbinding performances. As the tale of Manchester's heritage unfolds, travelers will find themselves standing outside the Science and Industry Museum, with a history of innovation visible through the formidable gates. The journey through Manchester's streets is both visually stimulating and intellectually enriching, leaving the traveler with lasting images of towering libraries, grand municipal buildings, and silent sentinels of the arts, all narrated with engaging storytelling that brings each site to vivid life.

View of Wakefield Street towards Oxford Road Station, around 1974. [ZX-288]

The building known as the Wellington Inn has existed since 1552 when Edward VI was on the throne. At that time it was situated in the Market Place and Shambles. It is now the oldest building in Manchester. In 1554 it was purchased by the Byron family and was part residence and part drapers shop. In the mid 17th century a third storey was added to the structure. It was not until 1830 that the premises were licensed when the it was known as the Vintners Arms and later as the Kenyon Vaults. In 1865 the ground floor was known as the Wellington Inn whilst the upper two floors served as a mathematical and optical instrument makers. In 1897 the upper floors by this time were known as "Ye Olde Fyshing Tackle Shoppe". At this time a large clock was added to the main gable. In 1974 the entire structure was raised by 4ft 9in (1.45 metres) and moved into Shambles square to make way for the Arndale shopping centre. In 1996 the building sustained considerable damage as a result of an IRA bomb which devastated the city centre. Restoration was complete by February 1997 and after dismantlement the building was moved 300 metres towards Manchester Cathedral. The pub re-opened in November 1999.

This image of Manchester peelers taking a break is thought to be the earliest image of policing in the city. The foundation of British policing was greatly influenced by some-time Home Secretary and Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel. Sir Robert was born in Bury, which is now policed by Greater Manchester Police, and one of his descendants is currently a serving officer in the Force. The Formation of the Manchester Borough Police. The Incorporation of Manchester was achieved in 1838. An elected Town Council, that could raise rates money to pay for services, was set up - albeit with much local, and vocal, opposition. The councillors then set up the first Watch Committee in January 1839 with the purpose of introducing a new borough police force to the area but the Court Leet and Police Commissioners (the former bodies charged with appointing Constables and running a Night Watch respectively) refused to disband the old day police and night watchmen. Encouraged by anti-incorporationists' claims that the Incorporation of Manchester was technically illegal, they refused to recognise the new Watch Committee and barred them from the existing police premises. The result was chaos: three distinct police bodies, totalling around six hundred men, operated at the same time in the town, but without any central control. The threat of disturbance in the town by Chartists, the radical reform group, coupled with the disorganised state of the police, caused the Government to pass the Manchester Police Act of 1839 and appoint Sir Charles Shaw as Commissioner of a new government funded police force run on the Metropolitan pattern. This came into being on 17th October 1839 – Shaw appears to have simply allowed members of the thwarted Borough Police to transfer to his government force. Very soon afterwards the force was increased in size to 357 officers. Shaw went on to establish a similar force in Bolton, again because of local disputes over Incorporation. Eventually problems regarding Incorporation were solved and the Manchester Borough Council gave a pledge to bring the Government force into local control, but they would not accept Shaw as Chief Constable. To overcome this problem the Commissioner's role was ended in September 1842 and on 24th October 1842 Captain Edward Willis was appointed Chief Constable at a salary of £450 with £50 allowance for expenses, commanding a force of 390 police officers – most of whom comprised members of Shaw’s force who happily transferred back to the locally controlled Borough Police. The headquarters of the new force was in the old town hall building with an entrance in Cross Street. For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives. To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website. www.gmp.police.uk You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life. You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement. To find out about upcoming events at the museum follow them on Twitter

We asked you to share your memories of the city and the long-lost places, venues, and attractions that hold a special place in your memories

Shambles Square, Manchester in 1983

A new project has repaired, photographed and shared forgotten maps of Manchester’s slums.

Independent and impartial reporting on food, drink, news, lifestyle, events, and everything else happening

Manchester City Police officers and local firefighters face the flames on the corner of Silver Street during the bombing of Manchester over the Christmas period of 1940. Vist Manchester City Police World War 2 Collection to view more of these historic images. For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives. To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website. www.gmp.police.uk You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life. You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

Note the boats on the right of the photograph and what appears to be water gushing from a pipe connected to premises on the right hand side of the river bank. The half demolished tower in the background is Manchester Cathedral. An original note with this photograph states that at the time the Cathedral tower was being demolished prior to being rebuilt.

To purchase a high quality copy of this photograph online for £7 (Plus Postage: UK & Ireland - £2 & International - £4 ) please visit our website: images.manchester.gov.uk/Display.php?irn=79088&QueryP... For media enquiries please email [email protected] Ref no: m79164

A group of Manchester City Police officers from the 1880's. By this time the uniform had changed from the top hat and white trousers of the early Peelers to a style of uniform that was to remain familiar for decades. The basic design of the helmet is still recognisable and much of the rank insignia is still in use today. For more information please follow Greater Manchester Police Museum and Archives. To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website. www.gmp.police.uk You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life. You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.

See a stunning collection of images by John Bulmer, a pioneer of colour photography who captured the beauty of 1960s northern England

These twisted true tales shine a light into the darkest corners of Manchester's history

The above image was taken on Sunday 1st June 2014 at Victoria Baths, Manchester. This was my first time at Victoria Baths and during this visit I decided to shoot exclusively using a very wide angle lens (a 12mm Sigma) and also use my usual HDR style. For more information about Victoria Baths see the site: www.victoriabaths.org.uk #Manchester #Victoria #baths #hdr #sigma #12mm

View along St Mary's Gate towards Market Street, around 1980.