Exploring the world’s first industrial suburb: K-Club's Bespoke Culinary Walking Tour of Ancoats

This year’s K-Club Summer Social event took place on a warm and sunny evening in Manchester city centre in early July.

Led by the knowledgeable Rob Kelly of Scranchester Tours, our guests enjoyed a bespoke walking and culinary tour of Ancoats, the world’s first industrial suburb.

The route took in some of Manchester’s iconic buildings alongside the story of how a rural landscape on the outskirts of Manchester, with a scattering of farms and cottages, was transformed into one of the most densely populated industrial landscapes in the world. Its multi-storey steam powered mills were hailed as a marvel of the Late Georgian era but by the end of the 20th century the industry had gone, the mills were empty and the area rundown.

Thankfully the reverse of this decline started in the late nineties, and the area has been thrice listed as one of Time Out’s 50 Hippest Neighbourhoods in the World. Mention of this was made even more interesting for one member who had once lived in the Royal Mill apartments, a previously derelict mill, now modernised and saved from demolition.

Along the way guests enjoyed drinks and food at venues along the way, including pizza in Diecast, Indian street food in Bundobust, cakes from the Cutting Room Bakery and delicious almond cake at Canto.

Member Mike Smith of Brown Shipley said “It was a great foodie walking tour…great mix of different food and flavours and some Manchester history alongside…another excellent K Club event…”

Thanks to all for joining us – see you next time!