‘I often think back and thank my lucky stars that I just happened to arrive in Manchester in 1988.’ Richard Davis shared to Cafe Royal Books, ‘I’d enrolled on a Photography Course at Manchester Polytechnic and while still only 22, I was ready for a new chapter in my life after leaving behind my past in Birmingham.

I had no idea that I was about to walk into the global phenomenon that the media called “MADCHESTER”. The Years of 1989–91 in Manchester saw an incredible explosion of creativity across many art forms and it certainly wasn’t just the music scene that benefitted. If you’re thinking Madchester only meant Happy Mondays & the Stone Roses then think again. There was also the poets, comedians, designers, entrepreneurs, journalists, DJs, photographers, — artists of all descriptions, as well as all-round chancers that helped give the city an incredible buzz and ensuring the rest of the world was looking on with envy.

As a Photographer I was perfectly set up to cover what was developing. I’d set up my Photo studio and darkroom where I was living, which at the time was a squat in one of the four big crescents which dominated the district of Hulme. Squatting in Hulme was really convenient, not only did it mean all my money could go on photography but also meant I was walking distance to the centre of Manchester, where all the fun was. I couldn’t help but get caught up in all the general mayhem, momentum and energy that these years provided.

I became determined as much as possible to document what was going on around me.’

Café Royal Books publishes limited edition Photobooks coveted by fans and collected by major institutions. The Zines focus on British documentary photography. Café Royal is run and founded by Craig Atkinson.