The Boardwalk, Manchester

Many old buildings in central Manchester are losing the battle against developers who replace them with ugly million-window monsters. However others are spruced up and owners of The Boardwalk have retained its outer brick shell. From 1985 to 1999 was a multi-floor nightclub, gig venue and rehearsal complex rolled into one. Thankfully there’s a blue plaque bolted to the wall which says “Remember me. I was something once”.

I found the building after a heavy downfall (having just passed The Hacienda which is nearby). I had sheltered beneath a bus shelter while the heavens hammered down. I was stood with three lads in shiny suits and boots, all looking like James Bond. I tried listening to their lively conversation but they were talking in what sounded like Arabic. One said "Lamborghini" and “perfect tits” though.

After the deluge I found the building on Little Peter Street, a quiet affair with few people walking down it. Oasis used this as a rehearsal space. They played here 8 times in total and were one of hundreds of fledgling bands when they performed their first gig here on Sunday 18th August 1991. The Charlatans were also regular visitors and other acts that played here were James, Sonic Youth, The Verve, and Rage Against The Machine. If you’re a geek you seek out places like this and have your photograph taken standing by the blue plaque. I’m more of a nerd than a geek but did it anyway.

Nowadays the building is shiny offices; the blur says "stunning" offices but can offices stun you? The place was built in 1876 and was founded by the cotton kings of Manchester. Once a Sunday school but for about fifteen years it was one of Manchester’s iconic live music venues. It closed as the century did in 1999 and fell into disrepair. It was bought in 2002 by a company and transformed into the office suites. I hope the IRA don't plant another bomb in Manchester as there seem to be thousands more acres of glass there nowadays. I did a salute and left.

Office space to rent...