In July 2016, Salford Archaeology was commissioned by Unique Boutique Hotels
(Manchester) Ltd to undertake an historic building investigation of the former Cathedral
School on Todd Street, Manchester (centred on SJ 8406 9886). Following the demolition of
the building in November 2016, Bowmer & Kirkland Ltd commissioned Salford Archaeology
to carry out an archaeological evaluation on the land. Both elements of the project were
required as part of a redevelopment scheme.
The historic building investigation was commensurate with a Level I-type survey, and the
evaluation comprised the excavation of a single trench, which aimed to establish the presence
or absence of buried archaeological remains within the proposed development area.
An archaeological desk-based assessment compiled in 2010 demonstrated that the study area
had the potential for the survival of remains relating to 18th- and 19th-century buildings,
including housing, public houses and a series of schools. The site’s proximity to the original
medieval core of Manchester also raised the possibility for earlier medieval remains being
present in uncellared areas of the site, particularly within a former central courtyard.
The historic building investigation concluded that the remnants of the former Cathedral
School had been subject to considerable remodelling and alterations during the later 19th and
20th centuries, particularly in the basement and ground floor, with a resultant loss of historic
fabric. The investigation has enabled an appropriate record of the building to be completed
prior to its demolition.
The evaluation trench excavated across the study area revealed that basements had removed
all remains at the south-east and north-west ends of the trench. Natural gravels were observed
between these basements, but did not contain any features of archaeological significance. The
natural gravels were tested by excavating a sondage to 4.2m, and were shown to be consistent
throughout, becoming much more indurated at depth.
The results obtained from the evaluation trenches have indicated that no remains of
archaeological significance survive within the study area, and that no further archaeological
work in advance of development is merited
