Star date: 7th January 2018

THE DERELICT EXPLORER TOURS THE CRESCENT POLICE STATION

In the midst of all the development along the Crescent and Chapel Street, the old Salford Police Station HQ still stands empty as developers and Salford Council are at loggerheads over its future.

Meanwhile, Matt Holmes, the 'Derelict Explorer', managed to gain entry into the building and took some extraordinary photos... "The inside is extremely dangerous and deteriorated" he says but adds that "The building needs to be saved".

Full details here...

The imposing old Salford Police Station on the Crescent is a 1950s landmark, designed by Bradshaw, Gass and Hope, that was originally the headquarters of Salford City Police and C.I.D Division and, later, Greater Manchester Police Salford Division, before closing for good in 2008.

Apart from some artwork on its exterior, the old station has lay dormant ever since, until last year, when Stama Developments (Salford) Ltd submitted a planning application which would create 117 apartments within the complex and 23 townhouses attached to the site.

The development would have avoided £1,467,738 in planning fees but Salford Council's planning panel of councillors controversially rejected the application, not on the fee avoidance but on the grounds of design and green space (see previous Salford Star article – click here).

As that spat continues to simmer, the building has remained derelict, despite Salford Star calls for it to be opened for homeless people (see here). Recently, Matt Holmes, of the Facebook group Exploring Abandoned Buildings With The Derelict Explorer, gained entry and took some stunning photos, showing many of the original features intact...

"The inside is a mash of decay but a testament to a once busy police station" he says "The prison cells are there with the original doors, original cell windows original cell corridors.

"The police desk is over run by falling wallpaper and ceiling paint, the inside is extremely dangerous and deteriorated due to years of vandals having a free for all" he adds "Most importantly, though, the bricks and mortar are sound. The roof is stable providing a barrier of safety to the walls and floors meaning that the building is still in a condition that could be renovated; however the Council needs to act fast before deterioration to the supports happen.

"The Police HQ created many memories from people who have shared their experience to me on my Facebook page and that is why the building needs to be saved" he concludes "Generations of policemen dating right back to the 1950s all have memories of this building and therefore it holds a pivotal part to Salford's history and community."

To see more photos of the Crescent Police HQ see the Exploring Abandoned Buildings With The Derelict Explorer Facebook page – click here

See also Matt's previous Salford explore at the Victoria Theatre – click here

All photos by Matt Holmes