Yes, Mamucium Son's song is quite an epic piece of music, like something from an unmade musical set in Manchester - someone should write one, how about it, Mamucium, you definitely have the musical creativity.
I haven't been along Store Street since the arches were destroyed and I'm not looking forward to it. I shudder to think of what will happen to Jutland Street now. If they tarmac over those cobblestones, it will be a another piece of the mosaic of Manchester gone.
I feel certain that in France, the intrinsic character of an area inherited from past times, would be retained and enhanced, rather than destroyed. Or maybe I'm just idealising France a bit too much.
I simply don't buy the idea that Manchester is so much better today. it was a bit grimier and grittier in the 80s, but it had a more emotive and exciting atmosphere. That's all been swept away.
To get a taste of what it was like, go to
http://www.digi-doc.co.uk/Chapeltown.avi