New images have been released showing how Piccadilly Gardens will be transformed, with trees, plants, and lawns replacing shoddy fountains and low concrete walls. Local leaders say it will finally be a place Mancunians 'can be proud of' once again.
Piccadilly Gardens Revamp
Manchester council wants to turn the public plaza into an area which feels safer and greener, with a new space for activities and events throughout the year. These new images show that 'unsightly' low concrete walls and raised planters near the Queen Victoria statue will be ripped out along with the 'unreliable' fountains. A new flexible structure known as the Welcome Pavilion will be used as a space for activities and events.
More greenery will be brought in to spruce up the Gardens in a nod to its flowery past, with lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful displays for people to enjoy. The current children's area will be revamped with facilities akin to those at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
Councillor leader Bev Craig says work to revamp the area is well on its way. 'We all want to see a space which Mancunians can be proud of - a welcoming and attractive environment which people want to spend time in,' she says. 'So as well as other initiatives which are delivering more police and more CCTV, we're bringing forward this scheme to transform the public space. That means investment in more flowers, more greenery, a new welcome pavilion, a new and bigger playground and an altogether more inviting Piccadilly Gardens. A bright new chapter is just around the corner.'
In recent years, Piccadilly Gardens has become a place that some in Manchester look to avoid. But all that could be about to change under the new plans. The council design plans for the area have been revealed ahead of submitting a full planning application in the summer. A pre-planning consultation starts today and runs until July 15.
Lemn Sissay on Hardy's Well Poem
Speaking of Manchester icons, poet Lemn Sissay says he'd like to see his poem that adorned Hardy's Well returned to the Oxford Road corridor. The concrete poetry on the Wilmslow Road pub is still the thing he's best known for across the world. 'Seeing the poem go was sad, but I had to accept that that's what happens, you know, things get broken down and built up again,' he said. His dream is that it will be put back on a wall on Oxford Road as big as the Hardy's Wall gable end. 'There's no reason why some inspiring person can't go: I'm having that and then talk to me,' he says.
Makerfield By-election Insights
Though best known as a Manchester poet, Lemn Sissay's Lancashire inflection reveals he is a true Makerfield man. He describes Jubilee Park as the 'flower park', calls the M.E.N the 'Evening News' and pronounces 'bus' as 'buzz'. He told about his formative years in Ashton, the kindness of the people there and his wonderful new project, Tell Me Something About Family. He also says the by-election has been a 'shock to the system' for people living in Makerfield with journalists descending on the constituency. 'Actually voting is a very private choice,' he says. 'What we see on these occasions is the concentrated juice of politics. You see politicians for who they are. Because they have to present themselves eye to eye to their constituents. So who they are will come out.'
One man Sissay has been supporting is Andy Burnham, having leant one of his poems to the politician for his campaign material. But even with the support of the poet, various Labour figures and Alan Partridge himself, Burnham is taking nothing for granted. Labour insiders say nobody in his team is relaxing, despite Burnham being ahead in the polls. Senior figures fear the race remains perilously close. Despite a huge amount of speculation, they insist that no formal decisions have been made about what comes next if Burnham wins. 'We would prefer not to be the first to start a leadership contest,' one ally said. 'We want to continue to be the good guys.'
While Labour bods sit in angst, voters on the right have a decision to make - Reform or Restore. When Charlotte Hall visited Platt Bridge earlier this week, she found a Reform poster on a stake snapped in half and tucked between the wheelie bins. Tied to the front gate was a Restore Britain banner. It's a snapshot of a voter group that has slowly started to grow in recent weeks during the furious campaign period. Around seven per cent of voters are estimated to be backing MP Rupert Lowe's new far-right party. Most of them previously backed Reform. But one thing is missing - their candidate. 'It's a lady, I think,' said Sean, 56, the owner of the snapped Reform poster. 'I don't know much about her. I'm voting because of what the party stands for. And because of Rupert Lowe.'
Count Binface in Makerfield
One man we may have all underestimated in Makerfield is Count Binface. The intergalactic space warrior and leader of the Recyclons is running on a pro-Ceefax ticket. He's an experienced candidate having previously stood in both national and mayoral elections. In fact he gained 24,260 votes during the 2024 London mayoral election - 3,741 more votes than the Britain First candidate. The Count told he hopes to pick up 'at least five' votes on Thursday and rejected the suggestion that he is just using Makerfield as a 'stepping stone' before conquering other Galactic empires. 'How dare you?!' he asked. 'I have been to the Greater Manchester area and the Makerfield constituency at least once. So I believe I know everything I need to in order to put it on the interstellar map.' His election slogan is 'Makerfield Great Again' and when asked what that meant he very gently explained. 'Makerfield - that's a place. Great, that means something that's very good and Again, that means it will happen once more.'
Weather and Travel
Thursday: Sunny intervals. 25C. Roads: A34 John Dalton Street in both directions closed due to emergency repairs and roadworks from A56 Deansgate to Cross Street until June 26. A671 Rochdale Road, Royton, northbound closed for roadworks from Middleton Road to Market Square until January 29. A58 Gerard Street Westbound, Ashton-in-Makerfield closed due to roadworks from A5062 Wigan Road to A58 / A49 (Kings Arms traffic lights) until November 22.
