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Barren, grey and surrounded on all sides by concrete, the old Shambles wasn't Manchester's most eye-catching square. But with its eccentric mix of shops and two historic pubs it was certainly full of character.
Built in the 1970s as part of the construction of the Arndale, the square took its name from the butchers and abattoirs which once stood in its place - the blood and guts leftover from slaughter and butchering being known as 'shambles'.
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