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AJ Handley-Rowe - 10th November 2021

Scheme approved and date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation

Emily Sergeant

New images released of Piccadilly Gardens as transformation plans take a big step forward

The long-awaited Piccadilly Gardens transformation is a go.

It’s official – planners have given the green light for the scheme to transform Piccadilly Gardens, with Manchester City Council having received no objections to the proposals which meant that officials were able to approve the full planning application without it needing to be considered at next month’s Planning Committee.

The decision means that preparation works can continue at pace, ready for the main works due to get underway this autumn.

In case you aren’t up to date with the Piccadilly Gardens transformation plans, the idea is, in a nutshell, to put the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens.

But what exactly does this mean?

Well, the approved plans show a vision for more green space – including lawns, trees, planting, seating, and colourful horticultural displays – with the temperamental fountains being removed for good and replaced with a new space called The Pavilion that will host family-friendly events.

The new-look play area at Piccadilly Gardens — Date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation / Credit: Supplied

Plans for the new Piccadilly Gardens from above — Date set for work to begin on Piccadilly Gardens transformation / Credit: Supplied

The low concrete walls and raised planters at the edge of the gardens will be ripped out, improving the setting of the Queen Victoria statue.

An there’ll be a new, larger playground for younger children, created in the same high-quality style as the new parks at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.

The plan is to also make the space ‘safer’ overall, through improved sightlines, better lighting, and enhanced CCTV.

The Council and its partners say they are ‘clear’ that delivering a ‘better’ Piccadilly Gardens cannot just be about physical improvements, but it also requires improvements to how the area is managed and maintained.

We're putting the Gardens back into Piccadilly Gardens

The major regeneration plan to transform the square has now been approved by planners.

This means we can start work this autumn to make the Gardens more colourful, vibrant and safer for residents and visitors. pic.twitter.com/5Ayv2k9SRw
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) September 25, 2026

This process is said to have already started, primarily with a strengthened police presence, but a new management model is also being developed to ensure that improvements are sustained.

“Securing planning permission means that before this year is out, we can get started properly on work to transform the space and have it finished and ready for the public to use next year,” explained Councillor Garry Bridges, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.

“Piccadilly Gardens has huge potential to be a real asset to the city and its people. We know it hasn’t been good enough – but that’s about to change.”

Work is set to begin in November, with further dates and timelines announced in due course.

Featured Image – Supplied

Greater Manchester announces £15m investment in grassroots culture

Lydia Mastrolonardo

Greater Manchester announces £15m investment in grassroots culture

Greater Manchester is investing more than £15 million in grassroots and community culture over the next three years, with funding set to support organisations across all 10 boroughs.

The funding will support a range of cultural activity, including disability arts, youth engagement, community music-making, theatre, live music, dance, and documentary filmmaking.

Investment will be prioritised in neighbourhoods that are viewed as facing greater barriers to cultural engagement, addressing inequalities in access, meaning these community theatres, grassroots music venues and local production companies are set to be given an additional £407,540 per year.

This investment is a fantastic opportunity for Mancunians to come together and celebrate the beautiful place that we are lucky enough to call home.

Culture is absolutely essential for unity and reinforcing our sense of civic pride, in addition to bringing valuable skills, expertise and new opportunities to our region. Not to mention the benefits co-creation can have on wellbeing and positive growth.

Recognising the transformational impact culture can have, Greater Manchester has pledged continual support to existing leading regional institutions which will ensure culture remains central to local regeneration, as well as committing funds and support to new grassroot talent.

What’s more is that funding has been secured for enrichment across all ten boroughs, meaning nobody has to miss out.

This boost in funding will also help deliver on the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s commitment to putting ‘things to do’ at the heart of town centres, with nine new organisations to receive funding for the first time. Included in this are OT Creative Space, String of Hearts, Manchester’s Reform Radio, Venture Arts, and Stand and Be Counted Theatre.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig said: “Shared cultural experiences are powerful opportunities to bring people together, create opportunities and build pride. We are investing more than £15 million for culture over the next three years, funding organisations of all shapes and sizes, in all 10 boroughs, so that everyone in Greater Manchester has access to an experience that speaks to them.

“Doorstep access to everything from theatre to live music, dance to documentary filmmaking, has the power to transform lives and shape communities. The Culture Fund is a key part of my commitment to putting things to do at the heart of our towns.”

This exciting £15m investment is to be divided into just over £5m each year, for cultural organisations in the region, across a three year period. This funding is designed to increase reach to more people within our communities and to ensure that the cultural sector remains thriving and strong.

Greater Manchester has also vowed to give the well-known Inspire Fund a £20,000 annual boost, to provide small grants to more local artists, small cultural organisations, creatives and freelancers.

In Rochdale, Breaking Barriers, known for amplifying unheard voices by co-creating work with local communities, have received an annual award of £40,000, as well as Skylight Circus Arts securing an annual award of £27,540 for its inclusive circus workshops for communities and schools.

Doc North, a not-for-profit organisation supporting working-class documentary makers and storytellers in the North of England, has been given £42,000 and popular grassroots music venue, The Snug, has been awarded £70,000.

In response to the challenges faced by the sector, a new Structural Fund of £100,000 has also been implemented to help to solidify stronger cultural networks and partnerships across the region. This will aid organisations to take risks and experiment in the delivery of new ideas.

In a city region so rich with culture and history, it’s about time we start engaging within our communities and celebrating what we have on offer here in Greater Manchester.

Featured image: The Manc Group