Cross Lane in Salford used to have 18 pubs along its length from The Crescent and Liverpool Street. Now there are none, and only a few remain, sadly closed, such as the huge Paddock on the corner of Cross Lane and Ellor Street at the top end.
The Paddock's proximity to the old Manchester Racecourse explains its name and sign. The Paddock has been boarded up for maybe five or six years now, and in its later days had downsized somewhat with the large lounge not in use.
Paddock, Cross Lane, Salford. (c) weasteman at flickr.
When The Paddock was a still a thriving locals pub back in the day it was full of characters "...1979... Jack Shore, George Vernon, Jimmy Davies and Jim Hope... brilliant characters, all sadly missed, never to be replaced, as is this once great Salford pub [1]."
Paddock, Cross Lane, Salford, 1990. (c) deltrems at flickr.
This aerial shot of the area shows where McDonald's is today, with the Paddock top left.
