Manchester's lost railway stations and what they became

Like many cities across the UK, Manchester has seen plenty of railway stations come and go over the years.

While some stations have been demolished with no trace of them left, others have gone on to live second lives as something completely different. This includes convention centres, supermarkets, and even a private residence for a TV director.

There are approximately 150 lost railway stations in Manchester that have either been demolished or transformed into something new. They have all played a part in Greater Manchester's rich history, with a small selection below.

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Based in Salford, Manchester Exchange opened in 1884 and served the city until 1969. During the Second World War, the station’s roof was badly damaged, with some parts never being replaced.

When Manchester Exchange closed to passengers in 1969, it continued to be used by newspaper trains until the 1980s. In 2017, the Deansgate North car park was opened on the site, with Q-Park restoring the original brick work of the Exchange Station.

Didsbury railway station opened in 1880, with the town’s iconic memorial clock being added to the station forecourt in 1910. The railway station closed to passengers in 1967, before fully closing in 1969.

The station remained standing for a few years and became a hardware store (Didsbury Station Hardware) before being demolished in 1982. Now, a row of shops and pubs occupy the site, and the Didsbury station clock remains, the local landmark standing proudly.

Manchester Central was one of the city centre ’s