Pomona Docks

occupation:
Shipping docks
Nationality:
English; British
born in:
Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Part of the Manchester ship canal comprising docks 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1. The docks were built on the site of the former Pomona Gardens and zoo. The name Pomona derives from the Roman Goddess of fruitful abundance. The docks were principally for coastal shipping. One of the early users of the docks was Fisher Renwick. Guiness was a regular user of the docks from the 1950s to 1970s when the business shifted to Runcorn. In the 1960s, dock 3 was set up with a heavy-lift berth in an attempt to increase business. This allowed loads up to 300 tons/unit. The Pomona Lock was built to replace the Hulme Lock, further up river. In the 1980s, all but Dock 3 were infilled. Dock 3 is at the entrance to the Pomona Lock, leading into the Bridgewater Canal and is still in use by pleasure craft.