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
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Police provide update after stabbing of 14-year-old boy at Manchester Arndale carpark
Emily Sergeant
Police have provided an update following the stabbing of a young boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
At around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Sam Jones, of GMP’s City of Manchester District CID, said this will ‘understandably’ cause concern, but has assured the public that police believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
“Detectives at the scene are working extremely hard to process the scene with Crime Scene Investigators,” explained DI Jones in an update statement issued.
“The car park is expected to be closed for several hours, so we ask for your understanding and patience whilst we gather evidence to bring these offenders to justice.
“Detectives and Officers will be in the area today to speak with local businesses and members of the public to provide reassurance. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public.
“Greater Manchester Police are committed to diligently investigating all knife crime and bringing offenders to justice, and we are asking for anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist with our enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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TfGM issues statement as ‘essential’ work begins on three major Metrolink lines across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead as no trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines for the next two weeks.
If you need bringing up to speed a little, as part of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network, essential improvement work is being carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable for passengers’ for years to come.
This means that from today (Monday 19 October) through to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing TfGM to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure, however – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the line, and you can find a full list of these here.
But despite the alternative services, widespread disruption is still expected for hundreds of people.
TfGM has issued a statement on the works being carried out, and offered support to anyone who may need it: “This is essential work that will help keep our tram network safe, reliable and fit for the future. We’re sorry for the disruption and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure people can still get around while it’s taking place.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback from customers during previous closures and have introduced more direct shuttle buses between key locations and extra buses on local Bee Network routes.
“If you use any of the affected lines, now is the time to check your travel plans.
“We’d encourage everyone to visit the Bee Network website or app before travelling so they can see the options available to them and allow extra time where necessary.”
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Emily Sergeant -
11th February 2022 
