COMING SOON
Echoes of Bexley Square
A new project to commemorate the events at Bexley Square, Salford on the 1st October 1931.
Over the coming weeks we will be developing this site, holding community talks across Salford and organising an event to commemorate the ‘Battle of Bexley Square’ at midday on Sunday 4th October.
Over the next 5 years the project will deliver:
🌐 Website
🚶 Guided Heritage walks
📱 Mobile App
📖 Book
🗺️ Interactive Heritage Map
🗃️ Digital Archive
🖼️ Exhibitions
🎓 Schools Programme
🎤 Oral History Project
? Permanent Memorial
Midday, 4th October 2026
Join us with key speakers from Politics, Trade Unions, Human Rights, Housing and Community groups as we reflect upon the battle of Bexley Square and look at how we can use those experiences to build today’s movements for social change.
Meet 12pm in front of Salford Old Town Hall.
Follow our social media accounts for updates
Brief History
The Battle of Bexley Square did not erupt suddenly on 1st October 1931. It was the culmination of years of hardship, unemployment and growing anger among the people of Salford.
The First World War had promised a “land fit for heroes”, but for many returning soldiers the reality was unemployment, overcrowded poor housing and poverty.
During the 1920s, Salford’s traditional industries engineering, textiles, dock work and heavy manufacturing declined sharply.
Thousands of families depended on public assistance simply to survive.
The situation became worse after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered a worldwide economic depression. By 1931 unemployment in Salford had reached devastating levels. The newly formed National Government introduced severe cuts to unemployment benefits while enforcing the hated Means Test where officials to examined entire family incomes before granting relief. Many unemployed people felt they were suffering for circumstances beyond their control. Suffering to protect the rich
Determined to resist these policies, 10,000 trade unions, unemployed workers’ organisations and labour activists sought to petition Salford council.
Their aim was simple: to demand adequate relief, dignity and justice for those suffering the effects of mass unemployment. They were met with police baton and violence
Special thanks to the following for their early financial support:
