Vimto Gardens This development, under construction
in March of 2014, is part of the rejuvenation of Chapel
Street. When complete, this complex will contain
83 apartments and 14 town houses. The projected
completion date is late 2014 or early 2015. The
name comes from the fact that in 1910 Mr. John Nichols
set up his factory nearby at 203A Chapel Street to
produce a drink that he called Vimto. Made from
the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants, the
drink was originally known as Vim Tonic and was sold as
a health tonic. Nichols continued to produce Vimto
on Chapel Street until 1927 when the operation moved
into Manchester to a former laundry building on Ayres
Road in Old Trafford.
 It appears that the Vimto Gardens
development is also incorporating the former Bell
Tower pub, seen above swathed in scaffolding.
****************** In the 1840s this site (shaded in
red on the map below) was home to what appear to be
rather large houses. The pub was there at that
time although it was called The Angel Inn.
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