House of Fraser Manchester, Manchester

A symbol of the commercial growth in the city in the early 20th century, Kendals plays as big a part in Manchester’s history as more renowned local buildings. A large, well preserved art deco department store, Kendals opened to the public in 1939. It is still one of the city’s largest department stores, although it lost its original name in 2005. House of Fraser, a popular UK chain of department stores, have owned the store since the 1970s. The current building was designed by John Beaumont, although the company has had a presence on Deansgate since 1832.

House of Fraser Manchester, as the store is now known, has led a colourful existence. Located on Deansgate, a major shopping street running from the north to the south of the city, the chain began life as Watts department store, before being taken over by three employees, and becoming Kendal, Milne and Faulkner. The store was taken over by Harrods in 1919, but reverted to its old name a few years later after disapproval from local shoppers. A pillar of Mancunian life, the show has been name checked in two of the most famous TV shows set in the city – long running soap Coronation Street, and retro police drama Ashes to Ashes.