Imagined Manchester: Coffee Shops On Car Parks

Confidentials 26 July 2013

LET'S dream dreams, imagine our city in other ways than the present reality. Dreams, of course, can be long or short, complex or simple, serious or stupid, they can - if Doctor Freud is involved - tell you odd things about the relationship between you and your parents. Or maybe you and your city. Still we're going to dream dreams of schemes in Em Cee Are. And we're starting this occasional series in the sky on top of carparks.

We all have our quirks.

I love taking lifts or stairs to the top of Manchester's multi-storey car parks. I love the big skies and the alternative views of the city.

As an idea for a 'found space' coffee shop the idea could have legs. Long legs from which you get a cracking view as the pictures below show.

This started with a passion for hill-walking but in Manchester city centre our natural bumps and lumps seldom merit descriptions beyond the word 'hillock' or 'slope'. Some of our steepest rises are manmade, approaches to railway stations, piles of brick supporting artificially elevated transport systems.

So to keep the artificial theme but to take me higher, it's carparks when I want elevation and air and the Pennines standing tall in the distance.

Shudehill looking north west

One time while musing on Shudehill Transport Interchange as the sun elegantly tumbled to the west it struck me that this would be a sublime place for a good coffee shop.

Tables and chairs spread about, snacks, soft drinks, tea, caffeine and views that span almost 360 degrees. An urban Arthur's Seat. Shudehill Transport Interchange even has toilets in the bus station below. Not the most pleasant perhaps but present all the same.

So why not put in a temporary coffee shop to perhaps coincide with an event such as Manchester International Festival, or simply install one over the month of August every year? I'd ascend to sample the delights.

We asked NCP whether they'd consider this.

They are considering it. Of course they'd have to talk to the owner of the building, in Shudehill Transport Interchange's case this would be Manchester City Council, but as an idea for a 'found space' coffee shop the idea could have legs.

Long legs from which you get a cracking view - as the pictures below show.

One last point. The coffee shop wouldn't have a problem with car parking.

AND to add to the above we now have a quote from NCP that's a bit carrot and stick but still encouraging - maybe.

Sean Fenney, business manager at NCP commented:

(The Carrot)

‘We love the appreciation for great views from the top levels of our car parks. NCP is always open to ideas and would be more than happy to discuss the idea of a pop up coffee shop on our site. We would willingly meet with companies that are looking to do this and discuss it over a large cappuccino.

(The Stick)

However, whilst we appreciate the views from our city car parks, NCP does not encourage people up onto the roof with camera equipment. The top levels of our car parks are extremely high and we do not want to risk danger to any of our customers.’

(Confidential Advice)

Don't lean over. The edge.

Most of pictures were taken by Jonathan Smith.

Shudehill and the CIS Tower