Trendy old town: Secrets behind a property hotspot
How M45 became one of area’s most wanted postcodes
A FORMER mill town south of Bury is fast becoming one of Greater Manchester’s most sought-after places to live.
In 2019, Whitefield’s M45 postcode was named as Greater Manchester’s fastest-selling, with agents citing the knock-on effect of Prestwich’s popularity on an area with a broader range of property and more pockets of value.
But with an ever-growing number of restaurants, the town – historically known for its bleach works and weaving industry – is emerging as one of the region’s trendiest suburbs in its own right.
The trend identified in 2019 has continued in the last 12 months, with properties in the neighbourhood selling quickly to couples and families during the pandemic.
“There are a lot of younger people who have been renting in areas such as Chorlton and Didsbury who are looking to buy here because they can afford it,” said Dominique Fisher, from Whitefield-based Clive Anthony Estate Agents.
“The demand has only increased during the pandemic.
“New bars and restaurants are opening in Whitefield all the time. There are a lot of supermarkets nearby and the transport links are great.”
Among the newer businesses on Bury New Road is Campo Blanco, a Spanish tapas restaurant owned by Aaron and Faye Cummins. The couple left careers in teaching to embark on the venture in the summer of 2018 and haven’t looked back since.
For Aaron, who was born and bred in Whitefield, opening here was a no-brainer.
“I always wanted to open a tapas restaurant,” he explained. “There weren’t any around here and it’s quite an affluent area.
“I knew the potential of this building and it had been empty for 18 months so we took a chance.
“I would say we are probably now the most popular restaurant in Whitefield.”
Mr Cummins believes the buzz surrounding the town can only be a good thing.
“Improvements are always the way forward,” he added. “That is what we should be striving for.”
“You are getting a lot of young professionals starting to move in from the city centre.
“We have always said that Whitefield and Prestwich are similar to Didsbury and Chorlton. In Prestwich, you have the bars. Whitefield, the restaurants.”
Around the corner from Campo Blanco stands what is perhaps Whitefield’s most well-known institution, the awardwinning cake shop and chocolatier, Slattery.
It’s been based in its current home – the old Masons Arms pub – since 2004 and its grand emporium now houses a bakery, shop, cake-making kitchen and a restaurant.
“Prestwich became a popular place when all the new restaurants opened, but Whitefield was not quite doing that,” said owner John Slattery. “Now it has caught up and we have got some really good restaurants. There is a wide choice and that’s always good for people living in the area.
“It’s competition, but competition is good. We’re all offering something a bit different.”
Natalie and Ian Bennett moved to Whitefield from Leigh two years ago.
Mrs Bennett, 39, works as an HR manager for a firm in Didsbury and says the transport links and prospect of buying a bigger home for their money helped make up their mind.
“It’s an easy distance for the commute,” she added. “We wanted to be somewhere with a bit of a buzz about it, too.
“It was important for us to feel we had something to do in the evenings and somewhere to socialise with our friends.
“We love it here and wouldn’t be looking to move any time soon.”
According to Zoopla, the average house price in Whitefield now stands at £250,929, £130,000 cheaper than the average in Didsbury and £70,000 less than Chorlton, but surpassing Prestwich, where the average sale price is currently £245,197.
“There is just so much choice for people,” said Ms Fisher. “I think it will stay strong, I don’t see the property prices coming down.”
Although home to more than 20,000 people, Whitefield feels more like a suburb than a town. There is no true town centre in the conventional sense and the majority of businesses are on Bury New Road.
A shortage of parking spaces is a problem often raised by business owners – but Coun Lucy Smith, who represents Besses ward on Bury Council, believes the town is heading in the right direction.
“Whitefield is definitely a good place to live because of all the amenities,” she added. “We just need to make sure we create more mobility.
“The Metrolink only helps certain people. We need better connectivity across the whole of Whitefield and the bus routes are poor.
“The high street is not what it used to be with your butcher, baker and candlestick maker. The footfall for your small businesses does not exist, so it’s good the confidence is there to open restaurants and bars.”
It’s an easy distance for the commute. We wanted somewhere with a bit of a buzz about it, too. Whitefield resident Natalie Bennett