The Mancunian Way: In defence of the Toast Rack

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Here's the Mancunian Way for today:

Hello,

“Is it 'eckers like!” I declared on hearing the Toast Rack had been voted one of the ugliest buildings in the UK. I have my Gran to thank for the Yorkshirism.

I happen to think the Toast Rack is a bit of a Brutalist gem. It’s a dollop of architectural experimentation on a road of otherwise dour buildings. And, if you’re travelling on the bus, it’s a good reminder that you’re entering south Manchester.

The latest ugly buildings poll which dropped into my inbox this morning ranks the Toast Rack alongside Liverpool’s Pier Head ferry terminal, Scottish Parliament and Central Church in Torquay. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but I for one would be sad to see the unique Toast Rack shape erased from the skyline.

As for its future, developer Generation announced plans for the Grade-II listed site back in 2018. The company acquired the building almost a decade ago and gained planning permission for apartments in 2016. Previous reports stated the revamped site could be completed in 2020. The Mancunian Way has contacted the developer to find out more about the progress.

I found this piece by reporter James Holt - in which he explains how his identity was stolen by online fraudsters - truly fascinating.

He was on holiday with his mum when he first discovered that an Instagram account using his name and pictures had been created and was offering exclusive, paid-for, adult-only content.

“A good friend of mine had spotted the account and sent me a screenshot,” he writes. “I instantly