Description of the attraction
The Royal Exchange is an old Victorian building in the center of Manchester.
Historically, the cotton trade in Lancashire took place in Liverpool, where raw cotton was sold and bought, and in Manchester, where contracts were concluded for yarn and finished goods. The first stock exchange opened in Manchester in 1792 and lasted until the end of the century. A new exchange building was built in 1809 and expanded in 1849. The cotton trade expanded and flourished, and Manchester was nicknamed Cottonpolis. In 1867-1874, the third exchange was built, which was reconstructed in 1914-1931. this building was the largest trading floor in England.
The Manchester Royal Exchange was badly damaged by bombing during the Second World War. The building was renovated, but the trading floor became smaller, and the upper tiers of the clock tower became simpler. Trading on the Exchange ceased in 1968 and the building was threatened with demolition. It was empty until 1973, when it was rented by a theater company. In 1976, the Theater of the Royal Exchange was founded. In 1996, the building was again damaged by a bomb explosion - the Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for the attack. The theater reopened after the renovation of the building in 1998.
The Royal Exchange is said to be haunted. One is the spirit of actor and director James Maxwell, another is a well-dressed Victorian lady who doesn't mind having a drink or two.
