MANCHESTER CONCORD

 

Frequently Asked Questions  

 

Over the years we have been asked many questions by newcomers before they come for the first time. We thought it would be a good idea to try to list the main ones here in order to make your first visit easier.

 
What should I wear?
   

We have no rules about what you should wear. About half the newcomers come dressed in male clothes the first time, just to get their confidence and to see what everyone else is wearing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this and you wont stand out particularly if you do, because there are always some people dressed in male clothes for various reasons.

But, if possible, I always try to advise newcomers to bring some clothes with them, in a bag, just in case they wish they had, once they get here. They dont have to use them that evening but if they haven't got them with them then they cant change and they may wish they could after only a very short time with us. So be prepared.

For those that are confident enough to come dressed then what should they wear? If you take a look at Mary's Blog and ignore the party evenings, just look at all the other photos. You will see that there is a great variety of outfits being worn, from mini skirts to smart suits. It is entirely up to you to wear what you feel comfortable in.

 
What is is like to use the changing room?
   

We have a small changing room at the club with mirrors and lights available but no running water.
Immediately next to it there is a large ladies toilet which has mirrors and lights plus hot and cold running water.

   
Is the area safe to walk around dressed?
   

Transgender girls, ie transvestites or transexuals, have been using the area of the gay village, where we are situated, for probably 30 years now, so rest assured, we are all now treated as part of the scenery and dont stand out in any special way. So just relax and enjoy yourself.
As far as I know almost all the Bars or restaurants in this area will make you welcome. Recently some have opened which are introducing a "Men only" policy as they wish to become comfortable venues for gay men and these do not welcome any female customers. The doormen will make it clear which they are. Do not take offence, they are not denigrating you, just move on and go somewhere that will welcome you. There are still plenty to choose from.

Safety in the Village advice.

The vast majority of us use the village and all its facilities without having any problems with the other people who are also there to enjoy themselves.
But, remember that it is in the middle of a large city and there will always be some people around who can cause trouble.
Also realise that if you walk around on your own then you are seen as a girl alone and "some" men may try to take advantage of this, so be aware of those around you.

Plan your trips
1. If you wish to stay in a local hotel on your own and plan to be out clubbing late at night, I would strongly suggest that you should find a friend to accompany you. Not necessarily sharing rooms, so that you can be there for each other. If you also wish to "drink a lot" then this preplanning is even more vital as "Common Sense" can so easily go out the window leaving you to do unwise things. Concord is there to enable you to find friends you feel comfortable with. Use it! we are all here to help each other.
2. If you do find yourself in a club on your own, late at night and you wish to return to your car then I suggest you ask another T girl to accompany you back to your car. After which you can either drive her back to the club you came from, or else to her car, so she can go home.
3. Try to be prepared when visiting the village by bringing enough cash with you so that you don't have to use a local cash machine while dressed.
4. Carry an alarm.
5. Use the club bouncers, they are there to help us all. They should be able to at least keep someone talking while you move on.

   

Where can I park my car?

 

The parking bays in Bloom street near the club are free after 8 pm until 8 am the following morning.
If you arrive earlier than 8 pm then these spaces cost £2.70 per hour but you are only allowed to stay for two hours if you park anytime before 8pm.
If you have hotel accomodation in the area then it can be useful to feed the parking meter for up to 2 hours which will carry over to the following morning from 8 am allowing you to park until 10 am. You only get this max of two hours if you feed the meter after 8pm.

If you are prepared to walk a bit further then in the streets parallel to Whitworth street such as Venice street on the side further from canal street it is possible to pay for three hours parking on the meters there for a total of £4, so if you wish to arrive at 5 pm which is when I normally get there, this is where I now normally park.

A little bit further away in Charles street there is a multi storey car park in which you can park at 5 pm on a wednesday evening till midnight for only £2 so this is the best value but a bit further to walk.

If you wish to visit the village on either a Saturday or a Sunday then you can park in this Charles street car park all day for just £2 which is much cheaper than anywhere else.

If you cannot find an available meter space then my advice, at least till you get to know the area, is to park either in the Bloom street car park or the Chorlton street multi storey car park but these can be very expensive.

FINALLY NEVER EVER park in a disabled bay unless you have the relevant display card. It doesn't matter what time it is or day of the week, your car will be towed away and you will have to pay about £140 to get it back. It is simply not worth it.

   
Will I stand out as a newcomer when I come in the club?
   
The organisers will know you are a newcomer and will go out of their way to try to make you feel comfortable and welcome. But, most people who come to the club dont attend every week, so the majority of the people there will have no idea that you are new. You therefore dont need to feel that you will stand out.
   
Can I bring my wife or partner?
   
Yes of course you can, wives and partners are always welcome at the club and can come in at no cost at any time.
   
What do you do at the meetings?
   
The meetings are very informal. They are really just get togethers of like minded people who have something in common that they enjoy and wish to share with others. We sometimes have themes or people showing relevant products or services and these are all advertised on this web site.
   
What is the easiest way to drive to Bloom street?
   

This is quite a hard question to answer and obviously depends on which direction you are coming from, so we will try to suggest four possible routes, from North, South, East and west. The easy way for us is to say use a SAT NAV but we dont all have them yet so we will try to answer the question.

But, if you have a Sat Nav, then the useful bit of info is the Post Code of NewYork NewYork in Bloom Street which is M1 3LY.

   

Lets start with the south and west.

If you are approaching Manchester up the M56

Continue all the way up the M56 which leads on to Princess Parkway. Keep straight on up Princess Parkway through several sets of traffic lights until you get to the roundabout at the end which has the Manchester inner ring road going overhead.
Go straight over this roundabout and continue to the next set of traffic lights which are just under an overhead railway bridge. Turn right at these lights and continue ahead to the traffic lights at the Palace theatre.
Go straight across these lights leaving the Palace on your left, cross over the next set of lights at Princess street and turn left at the next set of lights into Sackville Street.


Go up past the Rembrandt Hotel on your right, past Richmond Street and the next road is Bloom street.
Here you can either turn left into Bloom Street and look for a vacant parking space or turn right and go to the end and turn left into Chorlton Street. The next left is into the bus station and immediately after that is the ramp up to the multi storey car park.

NewYork NewYork is the building on the corner of the car park in Bloom Street.

   

Coming from the west

If you are coming from the East Lancs road then

continue along this going straight over the first traffic lights you come to rather than veering over to the left towards Salford. Keep going straight on through the lights until you find yourself going under a railway bridge and then through an underpass.
As you leave the underpass keep over to the left and veer off onto the side road which will take you to a roundabout.
Turn left here and continue to the next set of traffic lights which are just under an overhead railway bridge. Turn right at these lights and continue ahead to the traffic lights at the Palace theatre.
Go straight across these lights leaving the Palace on your left, cross over the next set of lights at Princess street and turn left at the next set of light into Sackville Street.


Go up past the Rembrandt Hotel on your right, past Richmond Street and the next road is Bloom street.
Here you can either turn left into Bloom Street and look for a vacant parking space or turn right and go to the end and turn left into Chorlton Street. The next left is into the bus station and immediately after that is the ramp up to the multi storey car park.

NewYork NewYork is the building on the corner of the car park in Bloom Street.

   
   
Directions from the East

If you are travelling from the Sheffield area, you will travel either via the Woodhead Pass (A628), the Snake Pass (A57) or via the Hope Valley (which connects with the A6 through Stockport).

These routes all converge at the Ardwick roundabout by the Apollo Theatre. Take the A6 exit towards the city centre (a small park on your right) and continue through the next sequence of traffic lights that take you under the Mancunian Way. You will then pass under a railway bridge which is followed fairly quickly by another set of traffic lights (Piccadilly Station is now on your right). At these lights, turn left onto Whitworth Street. Go through the next set of lights and turn right at the set after onto Sackville Street. The Rembrandt is immediately on your right after the canal bridge.

Go up past the Rembrandt Hotel on your right, past Richmond Street and the next road is Bloom street.
Here you can either turn left into Bloom Street and look for a vacant parking space or turn right and go to the end and turn left into Chorlton Street. The next left is into the bus station and immediately after that is the ramp up to the multi storey car park.

NewYork NewYork is the building on the corner of the car park in Bloom Street.


Directions from the North

Travelling from Leeds and the North East, take the M62 to Junction 20. Turn left to take the A627(M) in the direction of Oldham. This leads directly onto the A663 Broadway. This continues for approx 2 miles. At the end of a short stretch of dual carriageway, turn right at the T junction onto the A62 (Oldham Road). After about 1.5 miles, you will be on the edge of the city centre at a set of traffic lights at what is effectively a T-junction. Turn left onto Great Ancoats Street (A665) keeping in the left hand lanes. After about ¾ mile (and about 6 sets of traffic lights), the road veers round to the right at a set of traffic lights near Ark Trading. Immediately after this set, turn right at the next set onto Fairfield Street. You will then be on the A57 and will shortly pass under two railway bridges, with Piccadilly Station on your right. Straight through the next sets of lights (old Fire Station on your right), then through the next set, and turn right at the set after that onto Sackville Street (small park on your right). The Rembrandt is immediately on your right after the canal bridge.

Go up past the Rembrandt Hotel on your right, past Richmond Street and the next road is Bloom street.
Here you can either turn left into Bloom Street and look for a vacant parking space or turn right and go to the end and turn left into Chorlton Street. The next left is into the bus station and immediately after that is the ramp up to the multi storey car park.

NewYork NewYork is the building on the corner of the car park in Bloom Street.

   
   
   
Transgender Social Club
© copyright Manchester Concord 2012