Belle Vue is an area of Manchester, England, sited east of the city centre; it is bordered by the Hope Valley line to the east and the Glossop line to the west. It is part of the electoral ward of Longsight.[1][2]
History
In 1897, the machine tool manufacturer Kendall and Gent opened its Victoria Works in Belle Vue. The company closed down in the late 1960s.[3]
The area is best known for the former Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and Belle Vue Stadium. The zoo opened in 1836 and a small amusements area was added in the 1870s, which developed into a major amusement park in the 20th century. It occupied a 96-acre site and, at the height of its popularity, attracted two million visitors annually.[4] In 1910, the Kings Hall was opened which housed The Hallé for several years, hosting major concerts over the years. The zoo closed in September 1977, due to mounting debts; the amusement park remained open on summer weekends until 1980. The land was sold in 1982 and the site was finally cleared in 1987.[5]
