One of the UK’s most well-known public squares is finally getting the makeover it deserves. Plans to revamp the neglected Piccadilly Gardens in Manchester have officially been approved, with the council now set to transform the square into a ‘world-class space’.
The open space in Manchester’s city centre is a hub for accessing public transport and major shopping areas, but it’s become rundown in recent years and is now in need of some major TLC. The £25 million transformation promises to put the ‘garden’ back into Piccadilly Gardens, with a two-stage project set to reimagine the square with play equipment for kids, more trees and foliage, and larger grassy areas for chilling.
On top of that, water fountains that no longer work will be removed and a programme of family events will be launched in the revived gardens.
Works are expected to start ASAP, as soon as the Christmas Market – recently named by Time Out as the best in the UK– has been packed away on December 22. But don’t worry Mancunians, some improvements have already begun. Piccadilly Gardens’ most disliked feature, a slab of the Berlin Wall which was dubbed a ‘grim eyesore’, was torn down last year.
City centre spokesperson Cllr Pat Karney said: ‘This plan promises to be a massive leap forward. We’ve already demolished most of the hated wall but this package of improvements will go further to make a real and lasting difference.
‘Piccadilly Gardens isn’t living up to anything like its potential at the moment but it could and should be a great public space for Manchester.'
Beyond the much-needed facelift, the redesign will also prioritise safety and accessibility. Preventing crime is one of the main objectives of the project, and the council said there will be better street lighting, enhanced CCTV and a new police team for the square.
Council leader Bev Craig said: ‘We want Piccadilly Gardens to be a space Mancunians are proud of once again – and that’s what we are determined to do.
‘Manchester City Centre has grown and changed, and there are lots of exciting things happening in our city. We need Piccadilly Gardens to up its game and play its part in welcoming millions of people into our city every year.’
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, said: ‘Piccadilly Gardens plays a vital role in connecting people across our city region, with hundreds of thousands of journeys made in and around there every single week.
‘We are working closely with the Council to significantly improve facilities for Bee Network passengers by creating a more accessible, modern and welcoming interchange in the heart of the city centre.’
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