Grand plans to turn Piccadilly Gardens back into actual gardens have been revealed this morning, and this much-maligned corner of the city centre looks completely unrecognisable.
Manchester City Council has shared a detailed plan and new CGIs of how Piccadilly Gardens could look, which includes new flower beds, a new playground, and a new space for family-friendly events.
The plans also include removing the fountains (which are often broken) for good, ripping out the concrete wall, and giving safety some serious consideration.
The safety improvements will include enhanced CCTV, improved lighting, and an increased police presence with a multi-agency ‘base’ in Piccadilly Gardens itself.
It’s hoped that the key corner of the city centre will once again become a safe, green space with no more anti-social behaviour.
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This is the first step in a two-part journey to transform the area, with the immediate plan to declutter and revamp the public realm around the gardens.
The new CGIs show a more colourful, green space with more flowers and a larger grassy area, with scope for organised entertainment and family-friendly activities like picnics.
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Then in the future, the plans include a multi-million-pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester for a new, modern transport interchange at Piccadilly Gardens.
In the immediate future we should see the area become more like an actual gardens again, with more trees, planting and floral displays.
Mancs should also expect to see a strengthened police presence, and a Community Partnership van with agencies on hand to deal with issues which arise.
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With the removal of the unreliable fountains and ‘unsightly’ concrete wall, there’ll be a new, better-functioning space created to hold events and activities.
Plans to turn Piccadilly Gardens back into actual gardens
The children’s play area will be refreshed, inspired by the new play areas like the ones at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green.
A year-round programme of events, inspired by this year’s MCR Live 25 celebration and the Manchester Christmas Markets, will also be planned.
The work which doesn’t require planning permission will begin as soon as possible after the Christmas Markets finish.
Council Leader Cllr 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.
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“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.
“People tell us they want it cleaned up, brightened up, invested in and made to feel safer. It’s still called Piccadilly Gardens and we’ve heard loud and clear from Manchester people that they want its appearance to do more to reflect that name. We’re going to give them more greenery and more flowers as part of a co-ordinated range of measures to improve the look and feel of the area.
Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens have been revealed
“We know there are aspects of Piccadilly Gardens that no longer work – in the case of the fountains quite literally – and we’re determined to ensure the space looks better and feels better. Ripping out the defunct walls, opening up the Gardens and investing in improvements.
“We’ll also be focused on ensuring the area is lively for all the right reasons with a programme of great, family-friendly events, from this year’s Christmas Markets onwards.
“Crucially, this plan is not just about what the Council can deliver but a multi-agency blueprint to address issues with crime and anti-social behaviour, and in invest in other sustainable improvements. All these elements will work together.
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“This plan, getting underway quickly, is the beginning of a bright new chapter for Piccadilly Gardens.”
City centre spokesperson Cllr Pat Karney said: “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.
“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.
“We thank GMP for their support in this plan – its success will be not just in improving the appearance of Piccadilly Gardens but in reassuring people that it’s a safe and welcoming space.”
Chief Superintendent David Meeney, GMP District Commander for the City of Manchester, said “Piccadilly Gardens is a vital part of our city centre, and we know how important it is that people feel safe and confident spending time there.
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“We’re working closely with Manchester City Council and partners on planning the physical improvements to Piccadilly Gardens, including the position of lighting and CCTV, intending to deter antisocial behaviour and criminality from occurring, as well as strengthen evidence and intelligence gathering opportunities for our investigative teams.
“This plan builds on our proactive, problem-solving neighbourhood policing model and the recent investment through the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee which has allowed us to uplift and strengthen our existing city centre team with new officers and resources.
“Through initiatives like Safe4Summer, we’re already demonstrating our commitment to making Manchester safer by increasing visibility, listening to community concerns, and tackling issues head-on.”
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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“After successfully bringing buses under local control and backed by £2.5bn funding from government to deliver transport projects through to the early 2030s, we have exciting plans to further transform the Bee Network, helping to keep Greater Manchester moving and growing by connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity.”
Stevie Wonder’s 50th Anniversary Tour at the Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more
Lydia Mastrolonardo
No we can’t believe it either, THE Stevie Wonder is going to be performing at Manchester’s Co-op Live, on Sunday 8 November, as part of his Songs in the Key of Life – 50th Anniversary Tour.
It’s about to be One Of A Kind evening, honouring one of the most influential albums ever created, including some fan favourites like ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ ‘Love’s In Need of Love Today,’ and ‘Sir Duke.’
This absolutely legendary singer, songwriter, musician, producer and activist, is largely regarded as one of the most influential and decorated musicians of the 20th century, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. He is one of only three artists in Grammy history to win Album Of The Year three times in his career, as well as having 25 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award in his back pocket.
Wonder is deemed a child prodigy having first got signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown’s Tamla label aged 11 and since then his career rapidly took off gaining well-deserved recognition worldwide.
This show is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for many and one you definitely do not want to miss out on or you’ll be Cryin’ Through The Night. See below for all that you need to know…
Gig Guide | Stevie Wonder at Co-op Live, Manchester
These are the only times that are confirmed, but it’s expected that Stevie will be on stage around 8:00pm.
Can you still get tickets to see Stevie Wonder in Manchester?
Put On A Happy Face – there are still tickets on sale for Manchester!
There are remaining general sale and verified resale tickets being sold on Co-op Live’s website through Ticketmaster. Click HEREto get your last minute tickets.
What songs can fans expect to hear?
The show is part of his Songs in the Key of Life 50th Anniversary Tour, where he performs the album in full, with his own backing band.
Therefore suspected set list should follow the album as follows:
Love’s in Need of Love Today
Have a Talk With God
Village Ghetto Land
Contusion
Sir Duke
I Wish
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Pastime Paradise
Summer Soft
Ordinary Pain
Saturn
Ebony Eyes
Set 2
Isn’t She Lovely
Joy Inside My Tears
Black Man
All Day Sucker
Easy Goin’ Evening (My Mama’s Call)
Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing
If It’s Magic
As
Another Star
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
Superstition
However, the 1976 release also contained with a four-track EP, A Something’s Extra, and it has not been announced whether those four have made it to the set list, so you could be in for a few extras.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
If there is one thing us Brits have got down to a tee, it is how to spend a Sunday properly.
Go on, try and name a better way to spend the end of your weekend than heading out for some seriously hearty food and a pint with loved ones – I’ll wait.
There truly is nothing more comforting than a proper roast, especially as we head into the depths of winter and one thing is for certain – the UK is absolutely spoilt for choice on where to get a fix of this absolutely timeless meal. The question is where is serving the best?
While everyone argues over whose local is better, global travel site Big 7 Travel, decided to put it to the test.
Every year, they thoroughly investigate this pressing issue for us and release their list of The 25 Best Sunday Roasts in the UK, judging everything from quaint countryside pubs to inventive city-centre restaurants.
Their strict marking criteria covers everything from how the meat and trimmings are cooked, to how much care goes into sourcing ingredients.
They’ll also take into account what other diners say about the Sunday lunch, the atmosphere, and value for money.
This year our beloved Elnecot, nestled in the heart of Ancoats, did us proud being named the sixth best Sunday roast in the UK.
Elnecot in Ancoats is a neighbourhood favouriteThe Sunday roast at Elnecot has been named one of the best in the UK
It is clear to see why – with their killer Sunday roast serving a delicious selection of starters, followed by a choice of dry aged native topside; slow-roasted shoulder of Yorkshire lamb; lemon, thyme and butter roasted confit chicken leg; crispy, slow-roasted Yorkshire pork belly; or a nut and squash roast.
All accompanied by the crispiest roast potatoes, giant Yorkshire puddings, pork/vegan stuffing, roasted carrots, parsnips, sautéed greens, broccoli cheese and gravy.
Not to mention their mouth-watering extras such as truffle broccoli cheese, buttered greens in confit garlic or a beef shin stuffed Yorkshire pudding.
Oh – and only the best desserts selection you can imagine to follow, consisting of a burnt Basque cheesecake with mixed berries, sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream, butterscotch tiramisu, an affogato or even an ice cream sundae – by this point we we’re drooling too don’t worry.
This year, the top 10 included some pretty big names making this even more of an achievement for Elnecot:
The Hawthorn – Haworth
Kyloe – Edinburgh
The Camberwell Arms – Southwark, London
Coorie Inn – Crieff
Impossible Restaurant & Wonderbar – York
Elnecot – Manchester
The Horse & Groom – Bourton-on-the-Hill
Blacklock – Soho, London
The Abbey Inn – Byland
Skein – Nottingham
Now all that’s left to do is go and try them all out for ourselves – what a shame.
Daisy Jackson -
17th October 2025 
