Free+Trade+Hall

Free Trade Hall is an iconic building in Manchester, because it represents the idea that free trade benefits everybody. Free trading was a very important part of the reason why Manchester played such an important role in the industrial revolution. The building was opened in 1856. It was for everybody - a public hall. The building is placed on Peter Street and now functions as a hotel. Originally though, it was built to mark the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. To illustrate the intentions behind the building, figures of different places of the world - India, Europe, Africa etc. are added above the windows. They symbolise the desire for a free and open trade market. In 1904 Winston Churchill held a speech at the hall defending the British policy of free trade. The Manchester Blitz - a massive bombing during the World War II gutted the building. In 1951 a new hall was constructed, leaving only the facade original. It then functioned as the main concert venue in Manchester untill 1996. The Sex Pistols did one of thir first gigs here, and others such as Bob Dylan an Pink Floyd have have given concerts here.

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