We take a look at Manchester’s Gay Village at a pivotal time in its history. With massive developments encroaching on the area around Canal Street, the face of Manchester’s world-famous Gay Village is changing, forever. An outcry from the community following the Council’s much-criticised strategic regeneration planning prompted some to ask whether a Gay Village is even relevant today, and others to demand that the heritage, economic value and importance of the Village to the LGBTQ+ community should be preserved. In a series of candid interviews with primary stakeholders – business owners, customers, councillors and the developers themselves – we tell the story of this tempestuous time. Is there a deliberate, cynical attempt to gentrify the Village or is this an opportunity to invent something new, vibrant and relevant to the needs of the community in 2019?
Proud to be LGBTv