STUNNING images of the way Manchester rose from the ashes of the IRA bomb of 1996, to become one of the most modern and shopper-friendly city centres in the UK. PLEDGE: The vow from authorities, explained in the M.E.N., was to rescue a city centre from the mess EYESORE: The much-hated Arndale was ripe for redesign, and builders started work quickly. BUSY: Ladders and scafolding appeared as work started on the old beige facade. VISION: How architect Ian Simpson envisioned the new Cathedral Walks. TODAY: The Walks finished, now lined with high-end boutiques. PLANS: Council boss Sir Howard Bernstein shows off the winning plans for the regeneration. UP HIGH: Towering cranes became a feature of the skyline as work began. CROSS STREET: Rebuilt, and lined with great glass frontages, Cross St never looked so good. HAPPY: Glass merchants had a field day as acres of broken windows were replaced. WELCOME: New residents joined the regeneration; here Harvey Nichols' makes a splash. ICON: The shattered M&S building in the process of becoming the glass behemouth it is today. DREAMS: The original master plans from which Manchester was reborn. OLD AND NEW: Landmarks as spied through the clear glass frontages of the new Arndale. SPAN THAT: The famous Arndale bridge replaced with an iconic twist design that people loved. STILL THERE: The famous post box, replete with plaque, is now a tourist draw. VISITORS: Tony Blair and Mo Mowlam even paid a visit to the city's most prominent survivor. TORN DOWN: Marks' is pulled to the ground - and two famous pubs prepare to travel across town. HERE TODAY: The old Shambles Square with its Oyster Bar and the Wellington... ...was moved lock, stock and beer barrels to it's new home in Exchange Square. GOOD SIGNS: The map of Manchester was redrawn, and new visitors don't recognise the place. SHOW OFF: The Royal Exchange Theatre in it's dressing room, being made-over for future performances. SCREEN: The new Triangle rose from the Corn Exchange - and is now a popular meet point and fun zone. SHOCKER: Daring design, such as here at Urbis, became the watchwords for the rebirth of the city. WHOLE AGAIN: The reborn Manchester from the air, a testament to ingenuity, strength and purpose. OUT NOW: The Manchester Bomb: From Devastation to Regeneration.
