Council leader Sir Richard Leese has described Piccadilly as a part of Manchester that generates “strong opinions”.
There’s no doubt about that.
The tattered bullseye of Manchester fell on hard times many years ago and has stirred intense emotional responses in residents ever since.
The area’s chequered history and dangerous reputation are unbefitting of its privileged position as the gateway to the city centre; with the Gardens in particular being plagued with all manner of problems from petty crime to assault.
But things may finally be about to change; for real this time.
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There has been much talk and very little walk surrounding the transformation of Piccadilly so far. But a significant step was taken in late 2020 when construction workers walloped a huge chunk of concrete out of the vilified ‘Berlin Wall‘.
Now, it seems Manchester City Council is keen to keep the ball rolling (and perhaps swinging) – with more development on the way.
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This week, council members opened the floor to the public – starting a big conversation about Piccadilly which will help shape design proposals for its future.
For the next eight weeks, Manchester residents can have their own say; being invited to share their experiences of – and aspirations for – the areas of Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly, Mosley Street, Parker Street and Market Street.
Working with landscape architects LDA, the council is looking at different functions – including Piccadilly’s purpose as a route through the city, an interchange for tram and bus passengers, a retail landscape, and an events space.
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Through public feedback, the council is hoping to understand the opportunities, challenges and limitations involved in the area, aiming to find a way to “design out” crime in the area.
Could Piccadilly Gardens be completely transformed?
The Leader of Manchester City Council said that he knew the area “could be better“, but wanted to “understand what people want from the space.”
He stated: “By telling us your experience of the Piccadilly area, including Piccadilly Gardens, you will be helping shape its future.”
Leese also revealed that the council’s ambition was to create a ‘modern Piccadilly area’ with a ‘friendly, lively, public space’.
“We don’t want to turn back the clock to a time when there were far fewer people using the city centre,” he added.
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“We need to look to the future, not the past. Nor do we have a completely blank canvas – there are things such as tram lines and statues, and the Pavilion building which we do not own, which we have to work around.
“But we can and will be imaginative and seek to deliver a public space set in a vastly improved streetscape.”
The council will also be hosting a virtual exhibition offering insight on the proposed vision for Piccadilly, which will be available to view online.
The ‘Piccadilly Conversation’ survey is open for eight weeks, until March 21.
Bolton man, 22, jailed after his ‘dangerous driving’ kills motorbike rider just days before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A man from Bolton has been sentenced to more than a decade in jail after causing death by dangerous driving.
Cormac Sale, 22-years-old of Ina Avenue in Bolton, has been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving following a collision between a car and motorbike in Horwich, which saw another young man lose his life just days before Christmas (Saturday 14 December 2024).
At around 9:40pm that evening, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to an incident on Chorley Old Road in Bolton.
When they arrived, they found that a Skoda Fabia – belonging to Sale – had collided with a motorbike. Spencer Rothwell-Poole, also 22 and from Horwich, was riding the motorbike at the time and sadly died at the scene.
Following Sale’s arrest at the scene, further testing was conducted and he was found to be almost 10 times over the legal limit for ketamine whilst driving when the incident occurred.
Investigations by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit led to ‘significant evidence’ being obtained of Sale ‘driving erratically’ throughout the evening, as spotted by multiple other drivers and CCTV footage, and he was also driving on the opposite side of the road when the collision took place.
Sale has been sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, as well as being banned from driving for 12 years.
“This sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of choosing to drive recklessly and whilst under the influence,” commented Detective Constable James Maskrey, who is GMP’s Roads Police Lead Investigator.
“Nothing can undo the loss suffered by Spencer’s family, but it is our hope that this outcome offers some measure of justice.
“When someone gets behind the wheel under the influence of ketamine, they have no control of their own judgement or body, and even a moment where drivers are dissociated or unaware on the road can be fatal.
“This case is a stark reminder that dangerous driving destroys lives, and I want to reassure the public that our officers remain absolutely committed to tackling dangerous driving and removing those who pose a risk to our roads.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Brewdog’s beer hotel in Manchester has closed with immediate effect
Daisy Jackson
The ‘beer hotel’ operated by Brewdog in Manchester has closed with immediate effect, as part of the Scottish brewery’s £33m sale.
A whopping 38 Brewdog bars around the UK have closed, resulting in hundreds of job losses.
As well as the beer hotel known as DogHouse in Manchester, which was home to a large bar and rooftop terrace, the Oxford Road brewpub known as the OutPost has also closed.
The DogHouse Hotel on Fountain Street had a range of boutique bedrooms, fitted with features like beer fridges in the shower, beer taps in the room, guitars, record players, and pet beds.
Just 11 pubs have been retained in the rescue deal, including the Brewdog bar on Peter Street in Manchester city centre.
The brewery has been bought by US beverage and medical cannabis company Tilray for £33m, a sale which includes its UK brewery operations, brand, and a handful of pubs.
Yesterday, Brewdog announced all of its bars would be closed for the day to enable staff to attend staff meetings.
Administrators confirmed yesterday that 484 jobs had been lost in the sale, with 38 bars closing.
Unite, the union which represents thousands of hospitality workers, said it is ‘appalled’ at how Brewdog staff have been treated during the sale.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a devastating day for Brewdog workers. Nearly 500 lost livelihoods while yet another corporate deal is stitched together behind closed doors.
“Brewdog workers built this brand. They deserved respect. Instead, they were treated as disposable pawns. Unite will not rest until our members have legal and financial justice.”
Unite national lead for hospitality Bryan Simpson said: “The way in which senior management have conducted themselves throughout this sales process has been nothing short of a national disgrace – with workers being given no information about the company’s plans or their futures.
“For the CEO to tell workers that they were redundant with immediate effect, on a conference call with only 25 minutes notice, has echoes of P&O and is deplorable. Unite will be ensuring that our members receive everything they are legally entitled to.”
Brewdog was founded in 2007 by friends James Watt and Martin Dickie.
The Manc -
29th January 2021 
