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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Hana Kelly

Fed up of Fallowfield or not? The big reaction to the claim that the place puts people off the city

For decades, Fallowfield established community of families, elderly residents and young professionals has lived in peaceful co-existence with its transient community of students.

There are periodic concerns about parties and litter, of course - but little or no serious tension between the different types of resident.

But now local campaigners' unease is intensifying about the effect that the businesses who profit from the student pound are having on the character of the area.

Read more: 'So what if it's a bit loud?' Residents divided over claims popular Manchester suburb is changing - for the worse

A recent licensing hearing was told that late night takeaways and their delivery drivers were contributing to 'huge problems' in the area - problems which were forcing long-term residents out.

"Most of them seem to leave Manchester altogether because they've lost faith," Kattie Kincaid, speaking on behalf of South East Fallowfield Residents Group, said.

"They just don't want to have to live in this type of environment anymore."

But what do residents out and about on Wilmslow Road - the main road lined with takeaways which runs through the heart of the south Manchester suburb - think?

Terry Slattery has lived in Fallowfield for 40 years and doesn't see a problem (ABNM Photography)

Terry Slattery is a 63-year-old resident of Fallowfield who has lived in the area for more than half of his life and doesn’t want to move.

“I come home at about ten, half-ten, eleven and I don’t see any problems," he said.

“I’ve been here about 40 years and no, there’s no problems here at all.

“I wouldn’t think to live anywhere else. I’ve had neighbours in my flat for more than 20 years.”

Matt Robair, a 25-year-old actor, thinks that Fallowfield is just like any other inner suburban area.

“There are a few bits of things going on, it’s the usual," he said. "There’s a few fights that I’ve heard of, nothing extensive.

“I get the worry, but in general we chose to live here.

“It’s a working community, it’s not a hub, but there is life here so you’ve got to expect some problems.

“I wouldn’t say it’s any different from any other suburban towns. I have seen drug problems, violence, anti-social behaviour but it’s all part and parcel."

Meanwhile, Ronald Avison, 66, who has lived in Fallowfield all of his life says he could never leave the area.

Ronald Avison would not want to leave Fallowfield (ABNM Photography)

“I’ve lived in Fallowfield for 66 years, I’ve been in Manchester, in this area all of my life.

“I know the area, I wouldn’t leave it. I’m too settled in, if I lived anywhere else, I wouldn’t go out.”

Despite his attachment to Fallowfield, Ronald does think there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area, especially relating to littering and fly-tipping.

“Since the pandemic, people have been dumping rubbish," he said.

“The council will be picking it up and it’s all rubbish again.”

Another long-standing resident of Fallowfield, who asked not to be named, put it this way.

“Fallowfield’s gone. It’s a tip.

“The only good thing that is here are the students and the good honest people of the area.

“All I see if traffic and pollution, the pollution on the road is disgusting.

“It was a well known area for birds and bird watchers, now it’s all bins, pollution and students littering.”

The claim that long-term residents were leaving the area was aired at a hearing where Fireaway takeaway requested a later license to be able to make deliveries, which was approved by the panel.

The food outlet had applied for permission to take delivery orders until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and 12.30am the rest of the week, closing to the public after 11pm every day.

However, residents objected to the application, citing a Manchester council policy which aims to reduce the impact of licensed premises on neighbours.

Kattie Kincaid of South East Fallowfield Residents Group argued that the late night licence would lead to more deliveries in the neighbourhood in the early hours of the morning, affecting all residents.

She complained of the noise created by vehicles stopping and starting and delivery drivers 'hammering' on doors, disturbing neighbours in the street.

Referring to the council's 'cumulative impact policy', she argued that another late night takeaway would only add to the problems.

She said that while group welcomed businesses, Fireaway was not offering anything different from the other 40 or so takeaways already operating on Wilmslow Road.

She added: "Every time we see it slightly whittled away, it's so disheartening.

"We are seeing people continuing to leave this area. In the end, our community will die."

Lydia McCudden, a 23-year-old actor who the M.E.N spoke to in Fallowfield, didn't see a problem with the takeaways.

Matt Robair thinks Fallowfield is just like anywhere else, while Lydia McCudden thinks staying open later is good for businesses (ABNM Photography)

She said: “If the takeaways have asked to operate, I’d assume there is business for it.

“I think particularly with the pandemic going on, there’s been less of a problem.

“I really like the area, it’s got a good amount of life.”

But residents with longer memories recall when Fallowfield had a much greater mix of independent businesses.

Fireaway's licensing application has triggered debate (ABNM Photography)

Hilary Dyal who is 72 and retired, has lived in Fallowfield for years, having grown up in Withington.

She no longer sees Fallowfield as a place to go, but a place to pass through on your way to somewhere else.

She said: “People say the students are a problem, but they’re not.

“But they do litter, get a takeaway and shove the rubbish on a hedge.

“I used to go out in Fallowfield, local people would go out as well as students, now, it’s a passing through area.

“While you love it here, you don’t stay here. Apart from Sainsbury’s and Wetherspoons, there’s nothing to stop for.

“It's just a place for passing through.

“I live by Platt Fields but if I want to go anywhere, I go to Withington. If I want something a bit different, I go to Didsbury. Why the hell would I stop in Fallowfield?

“Years ago there used to be bakers, butchers and on the weekend there were fishmonger stalls - there were things going on.”

Speaking on behalf of Fireaway Manchester Ltd, Anthony Horne said that students are not the 'target market' for the new takeaway in Fallowfield.

The restaurant have been receiving around three to five orders per hour since opening last summer and the average delivery costs more than £32 in total.

The company owns two electric cars which are silent, he told the panel, and he claimed that 60 pc of orders placed through Deliveroo are delivered by bicycle.

He also told councillors on the licensing panel that the company directors are 'educated men' who want to live 'harmoniously' with residents in the locality.

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