Statue of Sir Robert Peel in Piccadilly Gardens / Image: David Dixon via Geograph
Manchester Council is reaching out to the public for feedback on local statues, monuments and memorials as part of a review into the city’s public spaces.
The consultation has been launched to get residents’ input to ensure that local artwork accurately tells the “complete story of Manchester’s history and the diverse communities that have made the city what it is today”.
Feedback will be used to determine a future approach on the commissioning and display of art across Manchester.
Debate over which historical figures should be celebrated in England’s public spaces was reignited during the course of 2020 in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests.
A domino effect was set in motion by a group of demonstrators in Bristol who toppled the statue of slave trader Edward Colston and rolled it into the harbour; placing fresh scrutiny on other monuments across the country.
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In June 2020, a petition was launched to remove the statue of Sir Robert Peel – two-time Prime Minister and founder of the British police – from Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens as part of a demand for police reform.
Hundreds of people subsequently signed a counter-petition in response.
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Statue of Emmeline Pankhurst in St Peter’s Square / Image: Wikipedia
Councillor Luthfur Rahman OBE, Executive Member for Culture, Skills and Leisure said: “It’s become clear over the last year that the time is now right for a re-evaluation of how Manchester’s history and its people are reflected in our public spaces.”
He did, however, emphasise that the process was not about eradicating the past or “glossing over any uncomfortable truths” but “understanding our history and heritage, and the context around it.”
The councillor added: “Whilst we’re not setting out to tear things down, at the same time it’s important we recognise the impact that choices past and present on what’s displayed in the city, can and do have on people living, working, or visiting here.
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“It’s important too that we make sure local residents see the best of themselves and their own communities’ achievements and stories reflected as they look around them – and for us all to learn from and to share their stories and successes.”
In addition to the Council’s online consultation, Manchester Histories will also be hosting virtual workshop sessions on March 10 to explore the subject further – featuring special guest speakers such as author Gary Younge and Professor of the History of Africa and the African Diaspora at University of Chichester Hakim Adi.
Karen Shannon, Chief Executive Officer, Manchester Histories, said: “This important review of Manchester’s statues and monuments will provide the opportunity for people to have their say to improve our understanding of our collective or contested histories, and to better recognise the role of the diverse communities and individuals across the city.
“We hope it will enable us start to consider how we would want to represent our city’s heritage in the future.”
Salford man jailed after pointing loaded gun at police and members of public while on the run
Emily Sergeant
A man from Salford has been jailed for more than a decade after he pointed a loaded gun at police officers and members of the public while he was on the run.
Jay Conway, of Leicester Walk in Salford, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (6 March 2026) where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and assault of an emergency worker, as well as also pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs.
His sentencing comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Salford Challenger team were patrolling Albert Park in plain clothes on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
They spotted a man riding an e-bike and wearing a balaclava, and attempted to detain him there and then, but despite their best efforts, he fled the area, brandishing what officers believed to be a pistol in the process.
The suspect – which was later identified as Conway – stole a bike and cycled on to Great Clowes Street, where a neighbourhood officer heading towards the incident attempted to detain him but he resisted. The officer deployed his Taser but he drew the pistol for a second time, pointing it at police and also at a member of the public.
Conway then dropped the firearm – which police later confirmed as a viable, loaded pistol – and a mobile phone, and fled for a second time.
Thanks to a ‘fast-paced and thorough’ investigation by specialist GMP teams, involving forensic analysis of the phone and CCTV which identified Conway as the suspect, he was arrested by armed officers the following day in Whalley Range.
“Nobody – a police officer or a member of the public – should be confronted by a gun,” said Detective Superintendent Simon Moyles, following Conway’s sentencing.
“These were frightening incidents and Conway is clearly a dangerous individual who is rightly serving a prison sentence. We need to commend and recognise our officers who showed immense bravery in trying to stop Conway.
“Guns have no place on our streets and the work we are doing in Salford, and across Greater Manchester, in relation to firearms incidents continues.
“If you know anyone who is using, or possesses, an illegal firearm, we urge you to get in touch with us as, for each firearm we recover, that’s potentially a life saved.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Nearly 300 new ‘social rent’ homes given go-ahead as part of £500m Wythenshawe regeneration
Emily Sergeant
Nearly 300 new homes are set to be built in Wythenshawe as part of a wider £500 million regeneration scheme.
In case you didn’t know, Placemaker Muse and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group submitted three separate planning applications for 422 new affordable homes back in December 2025, following a public consultation with locals.
Now, works on two of the three new communities can begin, with the third expected to get the green light in the coming weeks.
Brotherton House – which is a former office building – will be transformed into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with 109 homes for people in later life and those living with dementia, while C2 The Birtles, also currently retail and office space, is situated next to the former market square and will be replaced with 81 one and two-bedroom apartments.
Alpha House, which is currently awaiting a planning decision, has now been demolished and will be rebuilt to provide 125 one and two-bedroom apartments – including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.
According to developers, all the homes will be ‘affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient’, with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote health and wellbeing.
The approval given to build these new homes forms part of the wider ‘ambitious’ plan to transform Wythenshawe over the next decade.
The wider masterplan for Wythenshawe will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, which will complement the wider investment currently underway in Civic – supported by £20 million of Government funding, and £11.9 million from Manchester City Council.
Nearly 300 new homes have been given the go-ahead as part of a £500m Wythenshawe regeneration scheme / Credit: Muse (Supplied)
New community facilities in the town include the Culture Hub – which is now underway – the Food Hall, currently awaiting a planning decision, new workspaces, and improvements to the outdoor spaces in Civic, all designed to create a ‘greener and more welcoming’ town centre.
“For us, this is about delivering the truly affordable homes local people have told us they need,” explained Andrea Lowman, who is the Executive Director of Development at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
“Every one of these homes will be for social rent, giving more families, older residents and people with additional needs the opportunity to live well in the heart of Wythenshawe.
“As the local social housing provider, we are focused not just on building new homes but on creating sustainable communities and making sure this investment strengthens the town centre for existing and future residents alike.”
The Manc -
8th February 2021 
