Your Roving Mark Mason Reporter
 
A Trip to The Lowry Centre, Salford Quays.  (On a rainy Friday)
Entrance
General View
One of the many benches
Today I thought we would take a trip to the Lowry Centre at Salford Quays named after L. S. Lowry the world-famous artist from Salford whose paintings are now valued in their millions. Remember the song “Matchstick Men and Matchstick Cats and Dogs” well that was all about his paintings, not all of course are in that style but probably the vast majority, I find them absolutely wonderful, lots of them depict places I am quite familiar with.
List of benches on display
Another Bench
Chauffeur driven today, another rest for the old Opel, I was in the back whilst my wife was front seat passenger and driving was her sister, on arrival at the centre before setting off I made a double check that my credit cards were still in my pocket!  Of all the days to pick to get some great photos out and about around the Lowry this wasn’t it, outside, it was pouring.
Outside Views
War Museum across the canal
Stainless steel tower
Looking across a dock at the BBC & ITV
Built on the site of what was Manchester Docks, (most of which was actually in Salford) this is a really interesting place to visit, the area formed part of the Port of Manchester which began life back in 1894 until its closure in 1982, in its time it received cargo from all over the world which made their way up from Liverpool on the Manchester ship canal. During its peak in 1948 it was reported to be the countries third busiest port, the real decline began in the early seventies largely due to containerisation and the increasing size of the freight ships which could no longer navigate their way up the canal. In 1984 recognising the need to redevelop the area Salford City Council purchased the docks using a derelict land grant, proposing complete reclamation and development of the area for commercial residential and leisure us.
Lyric Theatre
Lyric Layout
In my long distant past I used to drive cranes of all types high level, on rails, mobile, and four leg container lifters, receiving goods from all over world, sugar, tobacco, canned fruit, clothes, footballs, you name it and it came into the docks. It was amazing how much stuff shall we say used to get re-located, (not really stolen), new boots, paint, meat, footballs, pineapples, (I say footballs because one month they were everywhere I think they came from India), during the scorching summer of, I think 1975, it was said that you could walk out in to the water on top of the thousands of thrown away pineapple cans which dockers had been drinking to keep refreshed! The closure wasn’t helped by the number of strikes which occurred, one week it would be the checkers, then the crane drivers, then the dockers on it went, shipping companies just couldn’t afford for their ships to be tied up at the docks for days on end. I remember one time when the dry docks went on strike because management refused to keep funding the food for the lads pet cat, they did in the end and work resumed, crazy days.
Stairway to Gallery
Lowry Shop
Another bench
I could fill a book with stories from those times but now we will return to the Lowry, it’s very pleasant inside, clean and airy, nowhere near as many shops as somewhere like the Trafford Centre, but plenty of different traders are there as well as the usual big names but known here as outlet shops, like Marks & Spencer, Clarks, GAP, Next, H.Samuel all selling goods cheaper than in the High St. There is a pleasant Food Hall with plenty of seating, Subway, Tandoori Delights, Fat Jackets, Deli Fresh, Chicken Cottage, Soup and Go, and my own favourite Harry Ramsdens. Around the centre are several restaurants, Bella Italia, Real China, Harvester, Lime, Cafe Rouge and many more. Should you feel the need to see the latest movies there is also a seven screen cinema inside called The Vue.
White Bridge
Pier Restaurant & Bar
Outside Lyric
Looking towards Manchester
Looking towards Liverpool
Meander around the ground floor and you will eventually pass the information desk, in front of you is a massive glass wall, go through the double doors and look around you will see some great architecture, looking straight ahead across an area known as The Plaza you will see the wonderful Lowry Theatre which is actually two theatres in one building, the “Lyric” for larger productions and the smaller more intimate theatre called the “Quays”.  Many international stars, actors, singers appear here on a regular basis, in shows straight from London’s West End and Broadway. Coming soon is the Broadway Smash “The Adams Family”, “Aladdin” from the Royal Ballet, and “Cabaret” starring Will Young and Louise Redknapp to name but a few. There are two eating places inside the Theatre, one for light snacks and a restaurant called Pier Eight. Were not finished yet as there is another treasure to be seen in this building, “The Lowry Gallery” not to be missed, one of the world’s largest collections of original L. S. Lowry paintings, how much they are worth is anyone’s guess, I absolutely love his work and can relate as I said earlier to many of the places depicted in the paintings which were still in place when I was just a youngster. At present there is a special feature on in the Gallery titled “Lowry at Home” unseen photographs of Lowry by Clive Arrowsmith. One of Lowry’s famous quotes was “If people call me a Sunday painter I’m a Sunday painter, who paints every day of the week” Trust me this is well worth a visit, admission is free with only a donation (£3 suggested) if you feel inclined.
That ground across the canal!
Walkways
Bridge & War Museum
The Vue (Films)
With this report are several pictures to give you a flavour of the Lowry Centre and its surrounds, outside you can see the remnants of what was once a thriving docks area, there are some nice tree lined walks and plenty of outside activities, Free Swimming as they call it (Freezing), canoeing, boating and diving to name but a few, one thing though try and go on a sunny day!!  Lots of great views on the canal side of the centre including that ground where a team play in red, the Imperial War Museum which can be easily walked to across a White Foot Bridge and like the Lowry is well worth a visit, lots of television programmes are now produced here at Media City both the BBC (which have guided tours) and ITV have relocated to here from London, on the other side of the canal next to the War Museum, Coronation Street is produced.
Yet another bench
My Favourite Harry’s
Fast Food Area
I hope this has given you a flavour of what’s on offer at the Lowry Centre, within easy reach are several other places of interest including Ordsall Hall which dates back to 1177 and where it is believed some of the Guy Fawkes conspirators met, another great place to see is “Lark Hill Place” located at Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Peel Park, a complete reproduction in every detail of a Victorian street, including the one up, one down dwelling which at the time if you were what was termed to be the lower classes you would be very lucky to have. (what makes me smile is the way you get up to the bedroom), if you do visit have a look around see if you can spot the oil fuelled bicycle lamp which I donated.
Back from the shops!!
The Quays at Evening
Black & Decker, Boys Toys
It is easy to get to the Lowery from all parts of the county if you make your way to either the M60 or M62 you can connect on to the M602 heading towards Manchester come off at a big roundabout for the A57 go right round and exit at the third turning A5063 Trafford Road, at the first set of traffic lights turn right and the Lowery (Quays) comes up on your left.      Go on take a trip out.
My Favourite Clothes shop
Way out
Metro from Piccadilly
As always here’s looking forward to seeing all my friends in the Mark Degree,
those I know all ready and those I have yet to meet.
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood. No.1173.