Moss Side

Moss Side
Manchesterphotos · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Moss Side
Pushpin label position	right
Coordinates	53.45, -2.23
Population	18,902

Moss Side is a suburb in Manchester, England, located approximately 2.5 miles south of Manchester city centre. The area is bordered by Rusholme to the north, Chorlton-cum-Hardy to the southwest, and Whalley Range to the south. Moss Side is also close to the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music. The area has a diverse community, with residents from various ethnic backgrounds, including African Caribbean and South Asian communities.

Geography

Moss Side is situated near the River Mersey and is part of the Manchester City Council ward. The area is characterized by its mix of Victorian-era and modern housing, including terraced houses and high-rise flats. The nearby Platt Fields Park offers recreational facilities, including a lake, walking trails, and sports pitches. Moss Side is also close to the A6 road and the M60 motorway, providing easy access to other parts of Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions, such as Salford, Bolton, and Stockport. The area is served by several bus routes, including those operated by Stagecoach Manchester and First Greater Manchester, which connect Moss Side to Manchester Piccadilly station and other major transport hubs, including Manchester Victoria station and Manchester Airport.

History

The history of Moss Side dates back to the Middle Ages, when the area was a rural settlement. During the Industrial Revolution, Moss Side underwent significant changes, with the construction of textile mills and other industrial facilities, such as those owned by Richard Arkwright and Samuel Greg. The area became a major center for the cotton industry, with many workers migrating from other parts of England, including Lancashire and Yorkshire, as well as from Ireland and Scotland. Moss Side was also home to notable figures, including Emmeline Pankhurst, a leading figure in the British suffragette movement, and Alan Turing, a renowned mathematician and computer scientist who worked at the University of Manchester and attended King's College, Cambridge. The area has also been associated with notable events, including the Peterloo Massacre and the Manchester Blitz during World War II.

Demographics

According to the 2011 United Kingdom census, the population of Moss Side is approximately 18,902. The area has a diverse community, with a mix of white British, African Caribbean, South Asian, and other ethnic groups. The population is relatively young, with a high proportion of students and young professionals who attend institutions such as the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music. Moss Side is also home to a significant number of refugees and asylum seekers from countries such as Somalia, Sudan, and Afghanistan. The area has been associated with notable individuals, including Lemn Sissay, a poet and playwright who was born in Wigan and raised in Manchester, and Zadie Smith, a novelist and essayist who has written about the experiences of multicultural communities in London and other parts of England.

Economy

The economy of Moss Side is diverse, with a mix of retail, manufacturing, and service sector industries. The area is home to several small businesses, including independent shops and restaurants, as well as larger employers, such as the National Health Service and the Manchester City Council. Moss Side is also close to major employment centers, including the Spinningfields district and the Manchester Science Park, which are home to companies such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft. The area has been the subject of various regeneration initiatives, including the Moss Side New Deal for Communities program, which aimed to improve the local housing stock and community facilities, and the Manchester City Council's Economic Development Strategy, which seeks to promote economic growth and job creation in the area.

Culture

Moss Side has a vibrant cultural scene, with a mix of arts venues, community centers, and festivals. The area is home to the Moss Side Leisure Centre, which offers a range of sports facilities and activities, as well as the Platt Fields Park, which hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including the Manchester Caribbean Carnival and the Moss Side Festival. Moss Side is also close to several major cultural institutions, including the Manchester Museum, the Whitworth Art Gallery, and the Lowry, which offer a range of exhibitions and performances. The area has been associated with notable cultural figures, including Ian Brown, the lead singer of The Stone Roses, and John Cooper Clarke, a poet and comedian who was born in Salford and raised in Pendlebury.

Education

Moss Side is served by several schools, including primary schools, secondary schools, and further education colleges. The area is home to the Manchester Academy, a co-educational secondary school that offers a range of academic and vocational courses, as well as the Loreto College, a sixth form college that provides A-level and BTEC courses. Moss Side is also close to several major universities, including the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Royal Northern College of Music, which offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in subjects such as engineering, business, and arts. The area has been associated with notable educational institutions, including Chetham's School of Music and Manchester Grammar School, which are both located in nearby Manchester city centre.

Category:Suburbs of Manchester