Manchester Lane

This guide to Manchester Lane in Melbourne traces the narrow city cut back to the 1860s, when it was crammed with fabric warehouses, tailors and hatters supplied by cotton shipped from Manchester, England, a trade that left its name lodged in Australian English to this day. You'll hear how the lane's fortunes shifted across the twentieth century, from ski gear to a handbag importer to near emptiness by 2005. Look down at the giant metal zipper set into the pavement as you walk its length.