Royal Exchange : Attraction of Manchester

The Royal Exchange is an impressive nineteenth century classical building in Manchester, England.

The Exchange was originally constructed to house Manchester’s cotton traders and used as a cotton exchange until 1968. Today, the magnificent main hall of the building houses the Royal Exchange Theatre.

The building was seriously damaged by the 1996 IRA bomb, which exploded less than 50 metres away, it was closed for two years while repairs were carried out. However, the fact that nearby St Ann’s Church survived almost unscathed is almost certainly due to the sheltering effect of the large, stone-built Exchange.

It includes the Royal Exchange Theatre, Royal Exchange shopping centre and other stores on street level, including Lush, Nike, Pastiche and other brands.

It faces Boots the chemist, the Marks & Spencer / Selfridges Building.