Manchester City Council has announced plans to launch an international design competition this autumn to create a “world class space” in the area centred around Piccadilly Gardens.
With an estimated construction budget of around £25 million, the council is inviting urban design and landscape teams from across the globe to present their ideas for the regeneration of the 10-acre site – which also takes in Mosley Street and New York Street, Parker Street, the section of Portland Street which Piccadilly Gardens runs alongside, and the section of Piccadilly which runs alongside the gardens.
The Piccadilly area has been described as a “prominent gateway location” as it serves a unique range of functions – including as a major route through the city centre, a transport interchange, a space for markets and events, a meeting place and a green space to spend time.
The council says that work will continue to develop a detailed design brief ahead of expressions of interest being invited in autumn this year from those looking to take part in the competition.
The competition comes after over 1,700 responses were submitted by Manchester people, businesses and organisations at a consultation held earlier this year that discussed future uses for the area.
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An international design competition has launched to find a team to create a world-class space in and around Piccadilly Gardens.
Proposals will be based on a consultation earlier this year, which attracted 1,700 responses from residents.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) July 31, 2021
So, what brief will competition entrants need to follow then?
Manchester City Council says it envisages that Piccadilly will be a special place with a strong sense of identity, welcoming and uniquely-Mancunian, and one that allows for the flexible hosting of events.
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It must be “a place for all” that incorporates space where children can play, while full access and inclusivity will also be integral to the design process.
The council recognises that it is important to the people of Manchester to retain a green space in the centre of the city, and is calling for planting to encourage biodiversity and improve air quality in line with the wider environmental goals.
It is also essential that the design promotes safety, and is well lit with clear sightlines.
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The council says it is looking to potentially relocate existing Parker Street bus services if improved alternatives can be found, and the winning design will need to retain the existing listed monuments and statues, and tramlines and infrastructure, as well as the existing Pavilion structure.
The Piccadilly area has been described as a “prominent gateway location” as it serves a unique range of functions / Credit: Manchester City Council
Speaking ahead of the competition’s launch this autumn, Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – said: “The Piccadilly area has the potential to become an outstanding open space in the heart of Manchester, befitting the city’s international status.
“We recognise that it needs to be transformed to ensure that it can realise its potential as a welcoming and flexible space.
“We want to create a place that people are talking about for all the right reasons.
“The publication of this notice is an important step closer to this aspiration and underlines the ambition we have for the area – ambition we know that Manchester people share – and we will of course be seeking further views from the public later down the line once we have a successful scheme to put to them.”
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You can find more about the Piccadilly Design Competitionhere.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Manchester
Coronation Street and Emmerdale set for special crossover episode
Danny Jones
Two of Britain’s most legendary TV shows are set to collide as Coronation Street and Emmerdale prepare for an unforgettable crossover.
It’s the sort of thing we’ve imagined plenty of times before, but if we’re being honest, we never actually thought it would come to fruition.
For the first time ever, the iconic Northern soaps will be teaming up to release a special crossover episode early next year.
‘Coronationdale’? ‘Emmerdale Street’? All we know is we’re excited.
Announced on Tuesday, 13 May, ITV confirmed that work on the first-ever Coronation Street and Emmerdale collaboration is now underway.
The flagship serial franchises both have huge nationwide followings in their own right, attracting more than 8 million viewers every week.
Moreover, with both Manc’s much-loved Corrie and its Yorkshire counterpart having faced financial struggles in recent months, this announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.
Writing in an official joint press release, the two shows revealed they will “join forces in an unprecedented, one-off special episode to launch the broadcaster’s new power hour of soap, which begins on ITV1 and STV in January 2026.”
The ‘power hour’ is part of the channel’s plans to readjust its approach to its regular programming laid out earlier this year, with this serving as an eye-catching way to promote the new schedule.
Put it this way, provided they keep the crossovers up North and avoid you know where, this is the kind of thing we can get behind…
Corrie characters reacting to the mere thought of heading to London 🤝 Manc parents whenever one of their kids mentions leaving 0161. 😂
The statement goes on to read: “The distinctive worlds of Emmerdale and Coronation Street will merge for one night only in a ‘mash-up’ of our two favourite communities.”
ITV believe they have come up with an “ingenious way of linking the two universes” before having them return to Greater Manchester and the Dales, respectively.
The episode will be a self-contained one-off special, but one that sees them canonically grounded in the same entertainment world forever and, you never know, if the idea is a hit then it could be the first of many to come.
As if that wasn’t enough, to make the prospect even more interesting, the producers are inviting members of the audience to choose which two characters they would like to meet and interact with in the scene – keep your eyes peeled on their social media for more information.
Coming in January 2026 (specific release date yet to be confirmed), this is not one you want to miss.
We’re also glad to see the pair of long-standing soaps and institutions of British telly have got off to a strong start this year, raking in 124 million streams on ITVX with each episode now available on the streaming platform ahead of each night’s episode.
You can expect a big viewer spike when this one goes out, that’s for sure.
Pilates classes with eight-week old puppies are launching in Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
Pilates is already one of the most popular workouts of the moment, but we have a feeling this might make its popularity skyrocket.
Why? Because it’s pilates with puppies, that’s why.
Although it may sound a little too good – and too unbelievably flipping cute – to be true, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, as Manchester‘s very-own Paw Yoga is launching a handful of Puppy Pilates sessions next month, and this is your chance to stretch, strengthen… and snuggle with Spaniels.
Puppy Pilates sessions are exactly as they sound, blending gentle Pilates or Yogalates exercises with the joy of being surrounded by playful Cocker Spaniel puppies.
It’s a unique experience designed to promote relaxation and, of course, plenty of puppy cuddles.
Each session starts off with 15 minutes of puppy introductions, followed by a half-hour instructor-led Pilates or Yogalates class, and finished with another 15 minutes of cuddles and photos with the pups.
Paw Yoga – which is better-known for its puppy yoga sessions, and is celebrating its third anniversary next month – ensures the wellbeing of its puppies is the utmost priority, with all attending puppies being over eight-weeks old and vaccinated, and the company refraining from mixing litters from different households.
The company also exclusively collaborates with ‘trusted and ethical breeders’, so you can attend the classes knowing the puppies come from nurturing homes.
Pilates classes with eight-week old puppies are launching in Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
Each class lasts one hour, and at the end of every event, the puppies go home with their owners.
Throughout the sessions, puppies are provided with food, water, and their own comfortable resting space if they choose to have a nap rather than join in.
There’s Puppy Pilates class on 14 June and a Puppy Yogalates class on 15 June that you can book onto, with other dates expected to be announced in due course, so whether you’re a pilates pro or simply seeking a calming escape, these sessions offer the perfect blend of fitness and puppy cuddles.
The Manc -
2nd August 2021 
