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| The Ellesmere Centre |
Location
Walkden shares the same postcode as Worsley, that is where the similarities end. It is unfortunately nestled next to Little Hulton and Farnworth in the deep corner of Salford/Bolton. It is basically in Bolton.
Amenities
In the heart of Walkden, is the Ellesmere centre. It was initially built in the 1960's before being rebuilt in 2010. The Ellesmere centre is probably 90% empty stalls as the huge Tesco Extra sells everything you need. Other shops in the modern Ellesmere are Poundworld, B&M bargains, Card Factory, Home Bargains and surprisingly, a JD Sports. These shops tell you all you need to know about the clientele it attracts. There is a indoor market which is again, mainly empty but includes a women's clothes shop and a pet stall. You can also get your keys cut, look at some carpet, pawn in some stolen jewellery, shop till you drop in the many charity shops all before withdrawing your pension from the Post Office so that you can get a steak bake from Greggs opposite. Fancy a night out at the Ellesmere? There is a bingo hall and a 'pop up cinema' which I have never seen being used. Its a shame as the Ellesmere centre really does have the potential of being a great shopping arcade...if it was somewhere else. Other stalls are a Yates & Suddell opticians, a small branch of Boots and a Costa.
There have been recent developments around the Ellesmere which have added to the vast array of restaurants which are limited to McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Dominoes and Subway. You can have a 9 minute holiday before heading to 'GHM!!' which is some kind of crap Home Bargains. There is now a Poundstretcher, Pets at home, ALDI and an M&S! I am taking bets as to when the M&S branch is closed due to poor takings. Who in Walkden can afford to shop there? People from Worsley would struggle.
The lovely day of shopping can then end at the Total Fitness gym which actually isn't too bad. Unfortunately Total Fitness in general has gone downhill but this branch is one of the better ones.
There are other independent shops around which include a fire place shop and a Polski Skelp. There are plenty of pharmacies around Walkden which again tell you all you need to know. There is a job centre, a popular branch of Salford City College and a train station!
If you need to visit your bank, there is a Nationwide, Lloyds, Halifax, Santander, RBS & Barclays. Great selection for a small place.
Restaurants & nightlife
There is the inaugural Weatherspoons (The Bulls Head) which serves your typical pub grub before getting into a fight later in the evening. A couple of Indians are spread around, Red Sea and Cottage Tandoori. Red Sea is apparently quite nice! There is also an Italian (Due Amici Cucina Italiana) and the Fifth Steakhouse. You could always have a snack at Lowrys which is inside the Ellesmere, past all of the closed shops or call in to Costa.
I can't say I have been out in Walkden but there is a few pubs knocking around. The Bulls Head seems popular due to being a Weatherspoons. There is also the New Inn which borders Little Hulton. A lot of the old pubs have been converted into restaurants and other establishments.
Outdoors
Blackleach country park is the only notable place which is nice to walk around. The park is all pathed and walks you around the man made lake. You can stumble across little ponds with piers, and walk to Kearsley over the motorway bridge. Overall, quite a pleasant area apart from when the travellers move in.
Pointless facts
The M61 to the east of Walkden is in the Guinness Book of Records for being the widest section of motorway in Great Britain (17 lanes in total).
Famous names
Christopher Eccleston - Actor - Former Dr Who
Jamie Moore - Boxer - Former British light-middleweight champion
Countless Corrie actors including Tyrone Dobbs.
