ARCHive: Strangeways

Continuing our search for Edgelands in Manchester, we ventured towards (the aptly named), Strangeways.

We came across a site which had evidently, previously been occupied by a warehouse or small factory-like building. It had been predominantly demolished, yet left behind were ruinous walls and openings; a memorial to the site's history and once usefulness. I think the dreary weather contributed to the eerie atmosphere of the site, but this place definitely made me feel uncomfortable; a loose piece of corrugated iron roofing was flapping aggressively around in the wind and three men on a cigarette-break observed us suspiciously.

Unlike the Google Earth image, which shows a demolished but clear site, it was now scattered with mole-hill like mounds of discarded belongings, building debris, fake 'Ugg' boots and handbags! Initially I thought the abandoned handbags were the by-product of petty-thieves, but as we wandered on, the surrounding soulless buildings seemed to be suppliers selling imported goods to market traders and small businesses selling women's clothes, shoes and accessories. So it was clear that the site was being used as a dumping ground for unwanted stock...

At what point does this...