Chinatown, Manchester
Encyclopedia
Chinatown, Manchester
is an ethnic enclave
within the city centre
of Manchester. It is second largest Chinatown
in the United Kingdom
and the third largest in Europe. It is located in east central Manchester, and situated next to the Gay Village
. The Chinatown, which is spread out over streets in the city centre has an archway, situated on Faulkner street, once the largest in Europe, which was completed in 1987, now dwarfed by the Imperial Arch
in Liverpool
. It not only contains many Chinese Restaurants, but Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean and other Pan-Asian restaurants, shops, bakeries and supermarkets, most of which have their main trading times on Sunday mornings.
, "Many arrived alone and were engaged in what is seen as a the traditional trade of laundries
." Manchester's first Chinese restaurant
, Ping Hong, opened on Mosley Street
in 1948, on the eve of a Chinese immigration
wave that would commence during the 1950s. Manchester did not have a significant Chinese population, reaching only about 2000. However, after World War II
, there were severe labour shortages, and in response, the government passed the British Nationality Act 1948
, which allowed easier access into the country. Additionally, Hong Kong
's rapid urbanisation meant that many farmers and traditional residents' homes were being destroyed by the urban sprawl
, so many decided to migrate.
The area's beginnings are rooted in the restaurant business, as many Chinese restaurants surfaced soon after the immigration boom. By the 1970s other Chinese businesses began to emerge, such as medicine shops, Chinese supermarkets, as well as financial and legal services, all serving the employees of the expanding number of Chinese restaurants in the area. There was even a Hong Kong government office and a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during the 1970s. In 1989 the Chinese Arts Centre
opened in Chinatown.
station is Mosley Street
, though this only serves southbound traffic and is due for closure. The two nearest stations aside from Mosley Street are Piccadilly Gardens
(which is also a bus interchange) and St Peter's Square Metrolink station. Furthermore, there is a carpark off Faulkner Street for visitors driving into Chinatown in private vehicles. The carpark is decorated in an oriental theme, in keeping with Chinatown and a mural of a junk
, a Chinese sea vessel, is on the wall facing the carpark.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
is an ethnic enclave
Ethnic enclave
An ethnic enclave is an ethnic community which retains some cultural distinction from a larger, surrounding area, it may be a neighborhood, an area or an administrative division based on ethnic groups. Sometimes an entire city may have such a feel. Usually the enclave revolves around businesses...
within the city centre
Manchester City Centre
Manchester city centre is the central business district of Manchester, England. It lies within the Manchester Inner Ring Road, next to the River Irwell...
of Manchester. It is second largest Chinatown
Chinatown
A Chinatown is an ethnic enclave of overseas Chinese people, although it is often generalized to include various Southeast Asian people. Chinatowns exist throughout the world, including East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Americas, Australasia, and Europe. Binondo's Chinatown located in Manila,...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the third largest in Europe. It is located in east central Manchester, and situated next to the Gay Village
Canal Street (Manchester)
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...
. The Chinatown, which is spread out over streets in the city centre has an archway, situated on Faulkner street, once the largest in Europe, which was completed in 1987, now dwarfed by the Imperial Arch
Chinatown, Liverpool
The Chinatown in Liverpool, England is located near the city centre's southern edge close to Liverpool Cathedral, and is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe. The arch located at the gateway is also the largest, multiple-span arch of its kind outside of China, the largest single-span...
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. It not only contains many Chinese Restaurants, but Thai, Malaysian, Singaporean and other Pan-Asian restaurants, shops, bakeries and supermarkets, most of which have their main trading times on Sunday mornings.
History
The first settlers to arrive in the city came in the early 20th century; according to the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, "Many arrived alone and were engaged in what is seen as a the traditional trade of laundries
Laundry
Laundry is a noun that refers to the act of washing clothing and linens, the place where that washing is done, and/or that which needs to be, is being, or has been laundered...
." Manchester's first Chinese restaurant
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
, Ping Hong, opened on Mosley Street
Mosley Street
Mosley Street is a street in Manchester, [England. It runs between its junction with Piccadilly and Market Street and St. Peter's Square. Beyond St Peter's Square it becomes Lower Mosley Street....
in 1948, on the eve of a Chinese immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
wave that would commence during the 1950s. Manchester did not have a significant Chinese population, reaching only about 2000. However, after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, there were severe labour shortages, and in response, the government passed the British Nationality Act 1948
British Nationality Act 1948
The British Nationality Act 1948 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that created the status of "Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies" as the national citizenship of the United Kingdom and its colonies....
, which allowed easier access into the country. Additionally, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
's rapid urbanisation meant that many farmers and traditional residents' homes were being destroyed by the urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
, so many decided to migrate.
The area's beginnings are rooted in the restaurant business, as many Chinese restaurants surfaced soon after the immigration boom. By the 1970s other Chinese businesses began to emerge, such as medicine shops, Chinese supermarkets, as well as financial and legal services, all serving the employees of the expanding number of Chinese restaurants in the area. There was even a Hong Kong government office and a branch of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation during the 1970s. In 1989 the Chinese Arts Centre
Chinese Arts Centre
The Chinese Arts Centre is the UK agency for Chinese Arts, Culture and Creativity based in Manchester, England.Chinese Arts Centre is the international development agency for contemporary Chinese artists. Based in Manchester in the northwest of England, Chinese Arts Centre works to support and...
opened in Chinatown.
Transport
The area's nearest MetrolinkManchester Metrolink
Metrolink is a light rail system in Greater Manchester, England. It consists of four lines which converge in Manchester city centre and terminate in Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton-cum-Hardy. The system is owned by Transport for Greater Manchester and operated under contract by RATP Group...
station is Mosley Street
Mosley Street Metrolink station
Mosley Street Metrolink Station is on the Altrincham and Eccles lines of the Manchester Metrolink light rail system in Manchester City Centre, England, UK. The station is unidirectional, having a single platform on the southbound track to serve passengers travelling towards St Peter's Square...
, though this only serves southbound traffic and is due for closure. The two nearest stations aside from Mosley Street are Piccadilly Gardens
Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink station
Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink station is a Manchester Metrolink station located in Piccadilly Gardens, adjacent to Piccadilly Bus Station. The station can be used for Interchange between the Bury service and Altrincham and Eccles services. The station is in the City Ticketing Zone.The station was...
(which is also a bus interchange) and St Peter's Square Metrolink station. Furthermore, there is a carpark off Faulkner Street for visitors driving into Chinatown in private vehicles. The carpark is decorated in an oriental theme, in keeping with Chinatown and a mural of a junk
Junk (ship)
A junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
, a Chinese sea vessel, is on the wall facing the carpark.