How gay village became 'out, proud and visible'

The opening up of pub and clubs in the 1990s helped Manchester's gay village emerge to become the "out, proud and visible" place it is today, a local historian has said.

Chris Hoyle said a turning point in Canal Street's history came when Manto's (now the On Bar) opened with large glass windows.

Before that, he said that while pubs in the area had been "slowly forming" as gay establishments, many were hidden away or required membership to get into.

Mr Hoyle told BBC Radio Manchester the change was a "real move forward" and saw the village transform to become a place of outdoor seats, pride flags and lights.

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