First look images in plans to redevelop the pavilion at Piccadilly Gardens have been released, and they give a glimpse at the future of the community hub.
The plans include removing the canopy overhead, splitting the concrete pavilion split into two separate sections, and refurbishing the two restaurants
Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets (LGIMRA) – which owns the concrete pavilion that carves Piccadilly Gardens off from the tram lines and bus station – also plan to install an art installation along the concrete wall.
Metal, glass and LED lighting on the walls would feature thread-like lines and holes in a nod to Manchester’s famous industrial past, with new lighting also added around the perimeter of the pavilion.
“We want to transform Piccadilly Gardens into an outstanding public space.” / Credit: LGIMRA
Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas have drawn a reputation for crime, drugs, and violence in recent years, but work to revamp the site began in 2020 – when a concrete wall known locally as the ‘Berlin Wall’ was demolished.
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These new redevelopment plans come ahead of a wider £25 million investment to give the public space a facelift.
A planning application has now been submitted by LGIMRA, the company which bought Deansgate Square’s North Tower two years ago.
Manchester City Council is also in the process of shortlisting urban landscape teams after launching the first phase of an international design competition to improve the area back in October 2021.
Speaking on the release of the first images, Rob Codling – senior fund manager at LGIMRA – said: “This project creates an excellent opportunity to increase the approachability of Piccadilly Gardens and make spending time there a more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors to the city.
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“We are pleased to be moving these plans forward and to be engaging with local artists to start to create a public space that Manchester can be proud of.”
“Piccadilly Gardens is a busy and important place in the heart of our city, but we know that there’s considerable scope to improve it,” Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council – added on the plans.
“We want to transform Piccadilly Gardens into an outstanding public space [that’s] welcoming, family-friendly and capable of hosting a wide range of events.”
Featured Image – LGIMRA
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
11th February 2022 
