In the heart of Hale village, a historic three-storey building on Ashley Road has become the center of a dramatic and unsettling incident. Dating back to the early 1900s, this once-stately structure, which had most recently housed Atticus bar, saw its rear portion collapse in a sudden and catastrophic manner. The event has left the local community in shock and raised concerns about safety in the area.
What began as a seemingly minor issue with cracks appearing on the building’s rear walls quickly escalated into a major structural failure. By the afternoon, the inevitable happened: a significant portion of the rear wall, along with parts of the roof, crumbled. This has left the building’s interior completely exposed, with more of the structure appearing on the verge of collapse.
The collapse not only disrupted businesses and daily life in the bustling village but also highlighted the challenges faced by older buildings undergoing renovation. As the story unfolds, the incident serves as a grim reminder of how historical structures, despite their charm, require careful handling and planning to preserve their integrity and ensure public safety.
Timeline of Events
The collapse of the historic building on Ashley Road unfolded over a tense 48-hour period, beginning with early warning signs on Friday morning.
It all started when large cracks appeared on the rear walls of the three-storey structure, prompting concerns about its stability. In response, authorities swiftly took action, temporarily closing off Ashley Road and evacuating nearby businesses to ensure public safety. Among those affected was The Knot hair salon, whose staff were forced to halt operations immediately.
Overnight, the situation worsened significantly. By Saturday morning, the cracks had expanded, leaving the building in a precarious state. Observers noted visible shifts in the structure, and it became evident that a collapse was imminent.
The inevitable happened just after lunchtime on Saturday. At approximately 3:40 PM, the rear wall gave way, causing masonry and part of the roof to crumble dramatically. The collapse left the interior of the building exposed, with debris scattered across the site. A large section of the roof now hangs dangerously, making further collapses over the coming hours highly likely.
This sequence of events not only disrupted the daily rhythm of Hale village but also raised questions about the building’s condition and the safety measures taken during its recent redevelopment plans.
Details of the Collapsed Building
The building at the center of this incident carries significant historical value, dating back to the early 1900s. Once a hallmark of Ashley Road’s streetscape, it had served various purposes over the decades. Most recently, it was home to the popular Atticus bar, which operated until its sale in January 2024.
Earlier this year, new owners purchased the building for £825,000, with ambitious plans to transform it into a private medical practice. The plans aimed to preserve the building’s façade while modernizing its interior. This included remodeling the structure to accommodate consultation rooms, a reception and waiting area, counseling rooms, and an education suite.
Despite the building’s historical charm, its aging structure presented challenges that required careful handling. With its solid masonry construction, any structural work demanded a delicate balance to maintain the building’s integrity.
Planned Renovations and Structural Challenges
The redevelopment plans, approved by Trafford Council, involved significant modifications to the building. A rear extension to the basement and ground floor was set to expand the structure’s capacity, aligning it with modern needs while preserving its historical character.
While the plans appeared well-intentioned, the work inadvertently placed tremendous strain on the aging building. The structural adjustments required for the extension, combined with the potential weakening of key load-bearing walls, may have contributed to the collapse. Experts suspect that the cracks appearing on Friday were an early warning of this underlying stress.
This incident highlights the inherent risks of renovating older buildings, particularly when ambitious projects intersect with historical architecture. Questions remain about whether sufficient safeguards were in place to prevent such a catastrophic failure and what this means for other redevelopment projects in the area.
The story of this collapse serves as a cautionary tale for balancing preservation and progress, urging both developers and local authorities to prioritize safety in every phase of a project.
Impact on Surrounding Area
The dramatic collapse of the historic building on Ashley Road had an immediate and far-reaching impact on the surrounding area. As large cracks were discovered on Friday morning, authorities acted quickly, evacuating businesses and residents near the site. Among those directly affected was The Knot hair salon, whose operations were abruptly halted. Staff and clients were instructed to leave the premises immediately as the risk of collapse loomed large.
To continue serving their customers, The Knot announced a temporary relocation to The Head Shed on Victoria Road. Other nearby businesses faced similar disruptions, with some forced to close indefinitely as the site remained dangerous.
Traffic flow through Ashley Road, a busy thoroughfare in Hale village, was also severely impacted. The road closure caused significant detours, disrupting daily commutes and local commerce. With parts of the roof and structure still precariously hanging, concerns about additional collapses meant that the area remained under strict safety protocols. This ongoing risk further complicated the efforts to stabilize the site and ensure public safety.
Eyewitness Accounts and Local Reactions
Eyewitnesses described the collapse as a startling and surreal event. One hairdresser from The Knot recounted how police rushed into the salon mid-service, demanding an immediate shutdown. “We had no time to think—it was clear the situation was serious,” he said.
Business owners expressed frustration over the disruption but also relief that authorities acted quickly to prevent potential injuries. “It could have been much worse,” one neighboring shop owner remarked. “The collapse is devastating, but at least no one was hurt.”
Local residents have voiced concerns about safety standards and whether proper precautions were taken during the building’s redevelopment. “This is a wake-up call for all of us,” a resident shared. “Older buildings need extra care, and we need to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
Ongoing Safety Concerns and Future Implications
The site of the collapse remains a safety hazard. With a large portion of the roof hanging precariously, experts warn that additional collapses are highly likely in the coming days. Efforts to assess and stabilize the structure are underway, but the process is complex, given the building’s age and the extent of the damage.
This incident has also raised broader concerns about the safety of nearby structures. Other businesses and residences in the area are being closely monitored, with some calling for comprehensive structural assessments of older buildings along Ashley Road.
Additionally, questions are emerging about the redevelopment process itself. Was the work conducted in a manner that accounted for the building’s age and structural limitations? Could this collapse have been avoided with better planning or oversight? An investigation into the cause of the structural failure seems inevitable, and its findings may have implications for future renovation projects in the area.
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Conclusion
The collapse of the historic building on Ashley Road marks a somber chapter for Hale village. It has disrupted businesses, shaken the community, and brought to light the delicate balance between preserving historical architecture and ensuring safety. While the immediate priority is to stabilize the site and mitigate further risks, the long-term lessons from this incident will likely shape how older buildings are approached in redevelopment projects.
For now, the focus remains on recovery—both for the affected businesses and the community as a whole. Hale village will undoubtedly move forward, but this dramatic event will linger as a reminder of the importance of caution, care, and foresight in preserving its rich architectural heritage.
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