The building on Derby Street Cheetham that housed the Manchester Ice Palace, the once very popular ice skating rink. The location is off Cheetham Hill Rd, around 10 minutes walk from Victoria Station.

Today few people will be aware that there was an ice rink here, but it is fondly remembered by those who were young in the mid 20th century. It opened in 1910, closed in the 60s and became part of a dairy. It is now, I understand, disused. The building is magnificent and has been identified by English Heritage as a notable building in danger of disappearing.

Many thanks to David A for sending the following:
“Some information about this magnificent building.
During the First World War (1914/1918), the building was converted to a munitions factory. Reopened as the Ice Palace in 1919. During the Second World War (1939/1945) it was converted into an aircraft repair shop. Small aircraft such as Spitfires and Hurricanes that had been damaged by the enemy, were brought in to the building on Low-loader lorries. My late father worked as an electrician in the building in about 1942, being employed by a local electrical company called Donn Electrical. I have informed the Imperial War Museum North about this but, they did not seem very interested. I feel strongly that this should be preserved along with the building as a national heritage. Thanks for the pictures. ”

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Keywords: Manchester, ice rink, ice-palace, sporting, sports, skating rink, skating rinks, Cheetham, North Manchester, Lancashire