LEVENSHULME, MANCHESTER — As the end of November approaches, residents of Levenshulme are preparing for a significant change in their community.
The Iceland supermarket, a fixture on Stockport Road for decades, is set to close its doors, marking the end of an era for this south Manchester suburb.
For many locals, this is more than just the loss of a supermarket—it symbolizes a shift in the character of Levenshulme itself, which has been caught in the grip of gentrification for several years.
In a statement announcing the closure, Iceland confirmed that its staff would “enter into a consultation process and will be offered opportunities at surrounding stores where possible.”
Despite this assurance, the news sparked immediate concern and even resistance among residents, leading to a petition that quickly gathered more than a hundred signatures from those determined to keep the budget-friendly store open. But as the weeks pass, it appears that the closure is inevitable.
The Last Affordable Store
For residents like Syed Navaad, a 52-year-old Levenshulme local, the closure of Iceland is a blow to the community.
“It’s a very good shop,” he said, reflecting on the affordability and convenience the store has provided to the neighborhood over the years. For many, Iceland represented one of the last truly affordable options on Stockport Road, which in recent years has transformed into a hotspot of trendy eateries and upscale bars.
“This is the last cheap shop,” Syed added, highlighting the sense of loss felt by long-time locals who are already feeling the pressures of rising costs in Levenshulme.
Retired truck driver Steve Pritchard echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the practicality Iceland provided, especially for elderly residents. “It’s wrong it’s closing; the one at Birchfields isn’t big enough.
This one is,” he said. Steve, who has lived in the area since 1971, expressed frustration over how the area has changed, particularly with the influx of new businesses that he feels serve a different, wealthier demographic. “All you have is barbers and takeaways,” he said with a touch of nostalgia.
Gentrification and Rising Prices
The loss of Iceland is symptomatic of a broader transformation that has been reshaping Levenshulme in recent years. Once named one of the Sunday Times’ “Best Places to Live,” Levenshulme has become one of Manchester’s most notable gentrification hotbeds.
New businesses catering to younger, more affluent residents have cropped up throughout the area, leading to a marked increase in property values and rents.
The average house price in Levenshulme is now £243,423, up 2% from the previous year and a staggering 12% from 2021. Houses in this M19 postcode are selling faster than nearly anywhere else in the UK, with an average listing duration of just 30 days.
With these rising prices comes a significant change in the neighborhood’s demographic. Many long-term residents, like Syed and Steve, feel priced out of the area they once called home, with some even fearing that they are no longer welcome in the newer establishments that line Stockport Road.
A Changing Community
The evolution of Levenshulme has brought new life to long-abandoned buildings and spaces. Long Boi’s Bakehouse, an artisanal bakery run by an all-female team, opened in 2020, revitalizing a corner shop that had stood empty for 16 years.
“I feel so proud that this little bakery in a slightly obscure suburb of Manchester is sitting on the pages next to so many people in the industry that we look up to and admire,” said Jenny, the bakery’s owner.
Similarly, the community rallied to transform the defunct Levenshulme South railway station into the Station South bicycle cafe in 2017. This trendy spot quickly became a local favorite, drawing residents and visitors alike with its unique blend of community spirit and modern style.
Yet, while these new businesses have undoubtedly added to the neighborhood’s appeal, they’ve also highlighted a division within the community.
Irene Holliday, a 65-year-old care assistant who has lived in Levenshulme for over 30 years, lamented the closure of Iceland, particularly amid the rising cost of living.
“It’s been here for 40 years,” she said. “It’s got more expensive around here. Food has increased, as well as the general cost of living.”
Affordability Versus Appeal
For some residents, the changes in Levenshulme have made the area feel unwelcoming. “It’s too dear,” said one 43-year-old local who wished to remain anonymous.
“The beer is far too dear. It’s a different class of people. If I walked in there, I’d be looked at like I was going to rob them.”
A staff member at The Levenshulme, a long-standing local pub, agreed, noting that the clientele has shifted in recent years. “There are more students and younger people now,” she said. “This used to be a ‘pub pub,’ but the younger people came in with their hippy type of vibe.”
While some of the older patrons appreciate the pub’s traditional offerings, newer customers come for a different experience—frequenting the area’s new wine bars and restaurants before visiting the pub as a more affordable option.
Mixed Feelings About New Businesses
Caroline Dubois, the owner of Isca, a popular wine bar that opened in 2019, argues that her establishment is designed to cater to both longtime residents and newcomers.
“You can come and have tea here for £1.70, or you can have a bottle of wine for £150,” she said. Dubois, who previously worked at the Michelin-starred Where The Light Gets In in Stockport, hopes her approach to creating an inclusive space resonates with the community.
Isca has attracted a loyal customer base, with an estimated 60% of its patrons living nearby, a testament to her effort to keep the wine bar accessible to a diverse crowd.
But for locals like Steve, who struggle with the area’s rapid changes, Isca and similar establishments may still feel out of reach.
“It’s not what Levenshulme was about,” he says, reflecting the sentiment shared by many who have lived in the neighborhood for decades.
A Future Shaped by the Bee Network
As Levenshulme’s population continues to grow, so too does the area’s connectivity. In 2028, the main railway station is set to join Andy Burnham’s Bee Network, a transport initiative designed to integrate bus, tram, and rail travel into a single payment system.
Commuters will soon be able to “tap in” for a train journey, as they currently do with Metrolink, making Levenshulme even more accessible to the rest of Greater Manchester.
Mayor Burnham has stated that Bee Network stations will make their host neighborhoods “more attractive places to live and visit,” likely accelerating the already swift pace of change in Levenshulme.
With these developments on the horizon, the transformation of Levenshulme shows no signs of slowing. For some, the changes signal progress—a chance to redefine the suburb as a vibrant, modern part of Manchester.
But for others, they represent a steady erosion of a close-knit community, replaced by bars, bakeries, and boutiques that cater to a clientele far removed from the Levenshulme of years past.
A Community in Transition
As the people of Levenshulme prepare to say goodbye to Iceland, the sense of loss extends beyond the convenience of a familiar supermarket. It’s a farewell to a way of life that many feel is slipping away as rapidly as house prices and rent are rising.
Levenshulme is not the only area to experience the dual-edged sword of gentrification, but it stands as a poignant example of how change can both elevate and displace, breathing new life into a place while pricing out those who once called it home.
For now, Levenshulme’s residents can only wait and see what the future holds, clinging to their memories of a neighborhood that has weathered many transformations—and, perhaps, hoping that the next wave of change will allow the past and present to coexist a little more harmoniously.
