Tony Wilson Place, Jack Rosenthal Street, Isabella Banks Street, Annie Horniman Street, James Grigor Square will be opening in Manchester after First Street announced the first phase of its naming strategy for the site.

The partnership between Manchester City Council and Ask Property Development has been working closely together to identify a suite of names which represent a cross section of Manchester creative pioneers who in their time helped to shape and influence the culture of the City over the years.

Based around the idea of ‘Manchesterness’, the streets, squares and avenues that will make up the First Street development will showcase the spirit of the people who have made a significant contribution to Manchester through sheer talent, philanthropy and love for their city.

The current phase of the scheme, scheduled to complete in Spring 2015, comprises the first INNSIDE hotel in the UK, a Q-Park multi-storey car park, high-end student apartments, VITA; retail and leisure units; and a new public square.

All these elements sit alongside the new £25m multi-artform venue, HOME formed by the merger of two of Manchester’s best-loved cultural organisations, Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre Company.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “In Manchester we recognise and celebrate the enormous contribution made by inspiring individuals to the life of our city. First Street, a fast-emerging new district with creativity at its heart, is the perfect place to celebrate their imagination and talent.

Tony Wilson and Isabella Banks is probably the most famous to be honoured but Mancunians may need reminding of the others.

Jack Grigor, the business leader and innovator played a key role in the renaissance of Manchester city centre in his role as chairman of the Central Manchester Development Corporation from 1988 to 1996.

Annie Horniman was an English theatre patron and manager and founded the first regional repertory theatre company in Britain at the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester.

Whilst Jack Rosenthal, born in Manchester, wrote early episodes of Coronation Street and went onto win three BAFTA’s.

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