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Sankey Street, WARRINGTON, WA1 1SG

A tiny second-hand record shop has managed to survive the harsh realities of High Street retail in Warrington for over two years now.

If you ever have half an hour between train connections at Warrington Bank Quay, it is well worth having a quick wander through the grid of streets opposite the main entrance to the station. This area of Warrington was obviously once the important bit; 'Inland Revenue' and 'County Court' are inscribed above the doorways of similar grand red-brick buildings nearby. The area now gets called the 'Cultural Quarter' - by the local council and other marketing departments at least. The big building on the left, beyond the Chinese restaurant, was once the main post office and is now home to a 'hotel', which seems to be more of a short-term self-catering apartment block, as every room comes with its own kitchenette. Deuce Hotels, who have recently taken over the place, describe it as having 'dark glamour and regal sophistication throughout', which is pretty good enticing blurb I reckon! The building at the end of the street (which is lit up more than normal due to it being Christmas) is now partly occupied by a restaurant. It was built as a technical school and then had something to do with finance. Both buildings were built around 1900 and are Grade II listed.

The White Hart, a pub in Warrington town centre

The White Hart public house and the rest of the block was built in 1929 (http://www.mywarrington.me.uk/tour_2.htm MyWarrington).

Shopping mall in the centre of Warrington.

City centre pub, near the Golden Square shopping centre. At one time it housed the headquarters of the Warrington Rugby League club.

The Gateway is an independent charity providing a central focus for 25+ local voluntary and statutory organisations and services to come and work together to help people in the local community. It provides a focal point for the voluntary sector, providing access to advice, support, information and opportunities for lifelong learning. At the heart of the building is a converted newspaper printing works built in 1875. Following a reconstruction in 1972-1974, Warrington Housing Association purchased the building in 2002. It offers a conference space, meeting rooms, offices to rent, PC suites and a café. http://www.thegateway.org.uk/

A colourful Mediterranean Market has appeared in warrington's Golden Square Shopping Centre this week. The current political climate might have made everybody feel a bit weird about it. I could be wrong but it seemed everyone either gave it a suspiciously wide berth or were over-friendly and enthusiastic. I prefer the latter but I hope we all get back to normal soon.

New Years Day and the mannequins behind the blocked out window showcasing the Next Sale stare blankly toward an empty mall.