IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Union Street, MANCHESTER, M4 1PB

The Abel Heywood, a recently opened (December 2014) Hydes pub, restaurant and boutique hotel http://www.abelheywood.co.uk/ on the corner of Turner Street and Red Lion Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It opened in December 2014 after conversion from a (fire-damaged) semi-derelict building (warehouse?). Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) was an English publisher, radical and twice mayor of Manchester. In 1831 he set up a penny reading room in Manchester; his bookselling business in Oldham Street was successful and continued for many years. Heywood was an active Chartist and his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after Heywood. Heywood had a son, also named Abel, who continued his business. The gable end of the building carries the name “Abel Heywood and Son”, perhaps this building housed his printing presses? See also Image] and Image

Whilst the sign outside the Red Lion Street frontage of Image] shows Abel Heywood himself, this sign outside the Turner Street frontage makes reference to his business as a book publisher and seller. Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) was an English publisher, radical and twice mayor of Manchester. In 1831 he set up a penny reading room in Manchester. And his bookselling business in Oldham Street was successful and continued for many years. Heywood was an active Chartist and his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after Heywood. see also Image

Looking along Turner Street towards High Street from the multi-storey car park. Image] can be seen ahead, on the left hand side.

The mural of a serpent of some kind actually continues around the dog-leg corner Image and also up Back Thomas Street. That is currently closed as the road is being used as a dining area for local eateries during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown which restricts indoor dining.

According to Pubs of Manchester http://pubs-of-manchester.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/red-lion-red-lion-street.html The Red Lion stood here from the early 19th century until the early to mid 20th century. It seems probable that the pub occupied only that part on the corner of Red Lion Street and Catlow Lane. The section to the right was once a gallery, where it exhibited sets from the BBC series, Cutting It. Catlow Lane was originally Church Lane. After being used as a clothing warehouse for some years it was semi-derelict for a number years until the whole building was converted by Hydes Brewery into the Abel Heywood as a pub, restaurant and boutique hotel http://www.abelheywood.co.uk/ which opened in December 2014. It is named after Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) who set up a penny reading room in 1831 and had a bookselling business in Oldham Street. An active Chartist, his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after him. His son, also named Abel continued the business after his death and the gable end on Catlow Lane carries the words "Abel Heywood & Son". Image See also David Dixon's photograph Image taken two days later from a more elevated vantage point.

Sign for the Abel Heywood Image and Catlow Lane (off Red Lion Street). See the sign from the opposite direction Image

The sign outside the Red Lion Street frontage of Image] is of a man who I assume was Abel Heywood. Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) was an English publisher, radical and twice mayor of Manchester. In 1831 he set up a penny reading room in Manchester. And his bookselling business in Oldham Street was successful and continued for many years. Heywood was an active Chartist and his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after Heywood. See also Image

The street is home to The Bouncing Czech http://web.archive.org/web/20170922064133/http://bouncingczech.co.uk/ The premises had previously been Montpellier's cafe and bar. Image

Side streets like Back Turner Street were lined with weavers’ cottages during the 18th Century. Most have long-since disappeared but a few have been restored.