The fortunes of a Manchester high street, once popular for its independent shops and businesses, declined to a point where it was known as Manchester's "alcohol alley".
It's been over a decade since councillors and residents campaigned to stop alcohol licences being granted on a street that had become overrun by businesses selling booze. Back in 2010, the M.E.N reported how there were then 22 licensed premises on Moston Lane in north Manchester selling alcohol.
This included six off-licences - five of which were in 400-yards of each other. The 1.4 mile long road was dubbed the city's "alcohol alley" by Cllr Pat Karney, who vowed not to allow the streets to become 'awash with booze'.
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Back in 2010, Cllr Karney said: "Manchester council needs to crack down on shops turning themselves into off-licences. It will create an explosion of alcohol problems in the area which is now saturated with cheap booze.
"In my opinion there is a direct connection between the growth of these off-licences and hospital alcohol admissions in the area. There is quite simply no benefit to it. It will turn Moston Lane into alcohol alley and it will all end up at the doors of the NHS and the courts."
Bob Hill, of residents' group the Federations of Lightbowne and Moston Associations, added that alcohol was too easy to obtain in the area and pubs had already had to close because of a shift from sociable drinking to boozing in the streets.
Council chiefs refused an application for a 23rd licensed premises on the street after 600 residents signed a petition complaining. Over a decade later, residents raised fresh concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime around Moston Lane, after a nearby restaurant agreed to cut its hours to be granted an alcohol licence.
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Following objections from 12 residents, Ya Koyo on Kenyon Lane, was granted a licence after agreeing to a 10pm curfew on the sale of alcohol after originally applying for a late night license. Some of the residents who still referred to nearby Moston Lane as "alcohol alley" argued late night alcohol sales in the area would make matters worse.
However, many residents and former residents remember Moston Lane as a once thriving shopping street full of quirky, independent stores. Recently, when images of the street in the 1990s were posted to the popular We Grew Up In Manchester Facebook group, people took to the comments with fond memories of a once "lovely" high street.
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Ian Morrison described the Moston Lane he once knew as "a kind of social centre". Adding: "If you walked down it on Saturday morning you were bound to meet someone to stop and chat with, or several different people."
Pam Keane described Moston Lane as "A great shopping area back in the day". Barbara Shaw said it "was so good" but "sadly no longer".
Bill Barton said he had "great memories" of Moston Lane in his youth, adding: "Moston Lane was incredible way back. The school, a cinema just off the main road - the MIP (Moston Imperial Palace) - and the shops: butchers, bakers, grocers, green grocers, and significantly no supermarkets. A little further up the Ben Brierley with a Co-op, a great library, [and] St. Dunstan’s Church."
A couple of shops came in for special mention, namely Collins the florist and Spellbound. Julie Kilburn, posted: "My dad always bought my mum flowers regularly from Collins as [he] thought they were the best florist. Sad it's gone."
Both Lynn Thomason and Anne Doherty described the shop Spellbound as an "Aladdin's Cave", with Anne adding the shop was "great for a rummage". Maz Mazza also remembered Spellbound as a "fab shop".
Does this story awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
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