The five most unusual polling stations in Greater Manchester

Election day has finally arrived.

For many of us, that means a trip to the local school, church or community center to cast our vote. However, some people are making their choice in this general election in a slightly more unusual setting today.

There are strict rules about where voters can cast their ballots, but some polling stations are more interesting than others. From historic landmarks to a football stadium and boxing club, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to polling stations in Greater Manchester.

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Here we take a look at the weirdest and wonderful places in our region that welcome voters today. You can follow live updates from the election here.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s house

Voters in south Manchester can cast their ballots at the former home of Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell. One of the leading authors of the period, she lived in the building at 84 Plymouth Grove in Ardwick from 1850 until her death in 1865.

The Grade II* listed property is where Elizabeth wrote some of her most famous novels, such as Cranford and North and South, and entertained guests including Charlotte Bronte and Charles Dickens. The house opened to the public in October 2014 after being restored to its former glory.

Although today it is used as a polling station, the museum remains open as usual, meaning voters have a chance to admire the building and its history after marking their X on the paper.

FC United

Broadhurst Park, home of FC United of Manchester, has also been turned into a polling station. Voters in the Blackley and Middleton South constituency will cast their ballots at the stadium today.

The 4,400-capacity ground, in the Moston area of ​​the city, opened in 2015 and also houses an event hall and meeting spaces.

At the last general election, the stadium and the wider area of ​​Moston formed part of the seat of Manchester Central. However, boundary changes made it part of the new Blackley and Middleton South constituency.

Salford Lads Club

It’s perhaps Salford’s most iconic landmark – and some are lucky enough to cast their vote there today. Salford Lads Club’s famous green sign and red brick entrance were immortalized on The Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead.

Some Ordsall voters will be able to stop for a selfie outside the iconic building where Morrissey and Johnny Marr posed for pictures nearly three decades ago on St. Ignatius Walk.

If they do, some famous political steps will follow. David Cameron made a pilgrimage to the landmark to pose for a photo – and has since said he would love to return, despite Johnny Marr banning him from liking the Smiths.

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham launched his campaign for a third term as mayor of Greater Manchester in the iconic seat earlier this year.

Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy

It was a grueling election campaign that left many voters exasperated. If you need to de-stress, you might be in luck – if you live in Benchill, Wythenshawe, at least.

Residents are casting their ballots at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy today – and it’s not the first time the famous boxing gym has played its part in the world of politics.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited the gym in 2019 and entered the ring with head trainer Steve Egan for a sparring session. Mr Johnson wore a navy blue pair of ‘Get Brexit Done’ gloves as he practiced his shots ahead of the latest election.

Tian Cheng Temple

The Armitage estate in Little Hulton is not the most obvious place to find a Buddhist temple.

But there some voters in the area will exercise their democratic right today. Tian Cheng Temple, a converted social club in Madams Wood Road, definitely wins the prize for the region’s most attractive polling station.

At the last general election, Little Hulton was part of Worsley and Eccles South, but boundary changes mean it has become part of the new Bolton South & Walkden constituency this time around.

Polling stations are open today from 19:00 to 22:00. It is the first general election where voters have had to provide a form of photo identification to cast their ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include passports, driver’s licenses and bus passes.

You can check your nearest polling station on your local authority website or by clicking here.