Concerns raised over demolition of historic Manchester church

The Grade-II listed All Souls Church in Manchester, built in 1839-40, was demolished on October 5, 2026, following a partial roof collapse in August. The building had been included on the 2023 "Buildings at Risk" register by the campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage (SAVE), which advocates for the adaptive reuse of historic structures.

SAVE has questioned whether Manchester City Council followed proper legal procedures before proceeding with the demolition. The group argues that under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the council should have considered issuing a repairs or urgent works notice before invoking the Building Act 1984. SAVE further noted that neither Historic England nor the Georgian Group were consulted during the decision-making process.

The Diocese of Manchester stated that it has had no involvement with the property since selling the building in 1984, following its closure in the early 1980s. SAVE has formally requested that the council provide clarity regarding the steps taken prior to the demolition.