A STREET in the heart of Manchester is set to be re-named in honour of music mogul Tony Wilson.
Whitworth Street West - which was home to the legendary Hacienda nightclub - could become Tony Wilson Way, Anthony H Wilson Way or Wilson Street West.
The plans have been drawn up by the city council as a fitting tribute to the man known as `Mr Manchester'.
He died of a heart attack in August aged 57, following a battle with cancer.
Whitworth Street West is the official address of the Hacienda building, the site of the former nightclub that Wilson used to put Manchester music on the map.
The name change would have to be approved by two thirds of the residents of the street.
The idea was put forward by Mr Wilson's son, Oliver, and daughter, Isobel.
Celebrate
The re-naming could happen as early as next spring. A street party would be held to celebrate.
The council is likely to throw the shortlist of names over to residents to help choose a favourite.
Pat Karney, the council's city centre spokesman, said he was confident that the move would go ahead.
"We need two thirds of people to agree but I have gone round all the blocks and I am confident people will want to make history on that street," he said.
In a separate move Peter Saville, the designer behind some of the city's most famous record sleeves, is at the heart of plans to set up a "Wilson Academy", possibly in Urbis. The academy would work with local children on arts and music projects and would involve many of Mr Saville's well-known contacts in the media world.
The M.E.N. disclosed on Wednesday that the council is already due to pass a unanimous motion next week in honour of Mr Wilson.
Councillors will agree to etch his name in the town hall alongside 75 individuals granted honorary freeman of the city status.
Technically that status can only be given to people while they are alive - but the council has decided to take the action to reflect Mr Wilson's importance to the city.
What do you think? Have your say.
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Street to be named after Wilson
October 05, 2007
Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Simon B, www.manchestertolltax.com (05/10/2007 at 06:56)
Pete (05/10/2007 at 08:27)
The Bobelesque, In The Rye (05/10/2007 at 08:45)
AH, Manchester (05/10/2007 at 08:50)
greyhound, Bolton,Lancashire (05/10/2007 at 09:15)
Hopefully the powers that be will also name a street after TW in Salford,after all Tony was a Salfordian....
Grimnir (05/10/2007 at 09:20)
Mark,Radcliffe. (05/10/2007 at 09:39)
ace, manchester (05/10/2007 at 11:20)
I quite agree with you a name change alters the history of a place?Surely whitworth street was named after Sir Joseph Whitworth who gave us the standard engineering thread.I think to change a name alters the feel of a city.A sculpture or something like that is more fitting.Do we change names of all our famous people when they fall out of favour with us.
Ms D, Manchester (05/10/2007 at 11:39)
Leo B (05/10/2007 at 11:54)
"What did Tony Wilson ever do for me?"
If you're of a certain age, then the man will have had an impact on your life: if you're not within that narrow band, he will have been just another name in the news/face on the telly/B-list celebrity. What he did made no real impact on the lives of most of the people of Manchester, whereas Whitworth's work changed the world. Leave the name alone, and let's have a city whose street names commemorate a heritage that's actually worth remembering, rather than reminding us of a businessman who once opened a night-club, and helped a couple of groups achieve fame (whilst, incidentally, making a total pig's-ear of his own finances as he did so).
The Bobelesque, In The Rye (05/10/2007 at 11:59)
Actually, Whitworth thread - brilliant! But what about the rubbish gun he designed )hexagonal shells) that the British didn't take up, was sold to the french and eventually played its part in the Civil War in America. Not one Whitworth's best ideas.
Lower Broughton Soul, Exiled in Gateshead (05/10/2007 at 12:38)
After all, he had connections with both cities.
Just a thought
Octavius Tinsworth Ace (05/10/2007 at 12:46)
Naming a street after Tony Wilson is an excellent idea, especially Whitworth Street West. Some of you need to polish up on your local geography, too -- I don't think there's any suggestion that Whitworth Street (opposite Oxford Street/Road from Whitworth Street West) will have its name changed, so Joseph Whitworth's legacy is safe.
The original PM (05/10/2007 at 13:16)
What some of commentees dont realise is that this whole cultural movement was the catalyst for the rebirth and reinvention of Manchester and has been partly responsible for the resulting magnificent truly world class City we are lucky enough to find ourselves in today. However, a street name over an old street name with such a rich history and credentials??? I'm not convinced, come on City council (and footy team) it's dead simple: erect a quality statue outside or opposite the Hac or even at the junction near the Cornerhouse (great spot, would catch the luvvies and Oxford Rd station commuters and oxford rd traffic). Please get this right and dont complicate things?
danvic, stockport (05/10/2007 at 13:50)
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, each workshop used its own sizes for the equipment it made. By 1860 Whitworth's specifications for sizes of screw threads was generally accepted throughout Britain.
Not only was he a quite brilliant engineer but he also ‘did his bit’ by donating large sums of money to educational organisations to help educate the poor. He also supplied the funds for engineering scholarships research at technical colleges. Sir Joseph Whitworth died in 1887.
Co-founder of factory record’s used one of his band’s money to keep the hacienda going and it could be said was the the first night club in Manchester to have metal detectors on the door. Oh and very good at self promotion
Danvic
D Vader (05/10/2007 at 13:50)
The original PM (05/10/2007 at 13:51)
Good shout mate, just read your comments after going and posting mine mainly in response to the lack of recognition of what this man did for our town, largely of the same sentiment RE: the movement being the catalyst for the Cities rebirth & reinvention.
Didn't think about the Whitworth St and WSW difference and not being affected - could be the answer perhaps. I still think a statue would solve it a lot easier though and would the Ritz on Tony Wilson way or Whitworth St? Another iconic Manchester gem soon to be lost if we are not careful.
Crantock (05/10/2007 at 13:52)
The original PM (05/10/2007 at 13:54)
Kevin from Hulme (05/10/2007 at 14:00)
Listen to Me Sir Richard Leese.
Ms D, Manchester (05/10/2007 at 15:02)
dougie, north manchester (05/10/2007 at 15:59)
Pippa, Manchester (05/10/2007 at 18:26)
panos, lancashire (05/10/2007 at 20:33)
i liked tony wilson,but j,whitworth also did a lot. far better is to put a statue of tony wilson outside the hacienda
sarahx, manchester (05/10/2007 at 20:49)
rip Tony