Post box on Corporation Street – Solid as a rock

In the face of adversity, Manchester has always managed to triumph. From centuries of riots and revolutions we have always used flashpoints as a catalyst for something good.

On 15 June 1996, the biggest bomb on UK soil in peace time was detonated in a van by the IRA on Corporation Street, one of the busiest streets in the city. Thankfully no one died, but hundreds were injured. There was widespread damage, most buildings were devastated for a 100 metre radius and shockwaves were heard for miles around.

Once the dust settled, people began the clear up process and all that stood untouched was a post box which was in direct line to where the van was parked.  The post box which dates from 1887 was removed while the area was rebuilt, but it was put back in place as soon as possible.

If you take a walk to see it you can look at it in close up detail and you will hardly see even a scratch of blast damage. It now has a plaque with an understated message which lets people know what happened at that point.

The post box is a small memorial to a massive moment in the recent history of the city and even though it is not a typical statue to a major historical event, we like to do things differently here.