Mention ‘B of the Bang‘ to Mancunians, and you’ll probably wish you hadn’t.
Even to this day, the infamous 00s East Manchester sculpture – designed to look like an exploding firework – still manages to have people rolling their eyes, generate heated discussions, prompt a wide range of responses, and remain as polarising as ever before, despite eight years having passed since it was finally dismantled for good.
Alongside the constant critique and ongoing debate surrounding its place and purpose in the city over the five years it was erected for, B of the Bang was given a slew of nicknames by residents and was branded by many as an eyesore.
It also seemed to enjoy much of its life as the butt of many a local gag.
But what was B of the Bang really about?
What was it for? What inspired its creation? Why did it call Manchester home? Why was it so controversial and problematic? Why did people seem to have so much to say about it? And what actually happened to it in the end?
Well, it all started with a simple quote.
Taking its name from a quotation by British sprinter Linford Christie, in which he said that he started his races not merely at the “bang” of the starting pistol, but at “the B of the Bang”, B of the Bang B was a sculpture created by Thomas Heatherwick – often deemed one of Britain’s most significant designers – that was commissioned to commemorate the 2002 Commonwealth Games held in the city, and was installed at Sportcity next to the City of Manchester Stadium (Etihad Stadium) in the East Manchester area of Beswick, at the corner of Alan Turing Way and Ashton New Road.
The sculpture was first commissioned by New East Manchester Limited in 2003, but construction overran – largely due to a rather optimistic estimated completion date – and the official unveiling was delayed until 12th January 2005.
Being taller and leaning at a greater angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, B of the Bang B was one of the tallest structures in Manchester, and was even confirmed to be the tallest sculpture in the UK right up until the completion of Aspire in Nottingham in 2008.
Credit: Sportcity
B of the Bang originally stood 56 metres (184 ft) tall, with 180 hollow tapered steel columns – or spikes – radiating from a central core. It was angled at 30 degrees and supported by five 25 m (82 ft) long, tapered steel legs, which connected to the spikes 22 m (72 ft) above the ground.
The sculpture weighed 165 tonnes, with the concrete in the foundations weighing over 1,000 tonnes, including a 400 m2 (4,300 sq ft) reinforced concrete slab.
In contradiction to its eventual fate, the sculpture was built to last, having been made from the same weathering steal as the iconic Angel of the North sculpture, which gradually develops a tightly-adhering oxide layer as it’s exposed to the elements, and this layer inhibits further corrosion by reducing its permeability to water.
As part of the design, the spikes even swayed slightly in the wind in order to withstand gusts in excess of 100 mph (160 km/h).
As well as being constructed to tackle the inevitable Manchester elements, it seems that B of the Bang was also built with a legacy in mind, as at the time of its construction, a time capsule was even placed inside one of the spikes of the sculpture – containing children’s poems and paintings – which was due to be opened circa 2300, but after being dismantled, the location of this time capsule is currently unknown.
The sculpture cost £1.42 million in total to design and construct.
This actually ended up being twice the original estimate, as the initial costing plan had neglected to include installation costs.
Funding for the sculpture was sourced from a European Regional Development Fund contribution of £700,000, the North West Development Agency contributing £500,000, and Manchester City Council providing the final £120,000 towards its completion.
Credit: Connell Brothers / Sportcity
Its hefty price tag was only the tip of the controversy it generated over the years though.
Only six days before the sculpture’s official unveiling, the tip of one of the 2.1 m (6.9 ft) spikes detached and fell, but after close inspection, the launch event went ahead as planned.
Four months later, in May 2005, a second spike had to be cut off by firefighters after it was discovered hanging loose, and at that time, the sculpture was closed off to the public, and the junction and pathway near the sculpture were temporarily closed.
As a result, some of the joints were re-welded, with equipment put in place to prevent excessive movement.
Despite these modifications though, B of the Bang remained fenced off.
After ongoing and worsening concerns, in May 2006, a total of nine spikes were removed from the sculpture and taken away for metallurgical analysis to discover the stresses being placed on the steel, but all of that meant nothing after it was announced in October 2007 that Manchester City Council were taking legal action against the makers of the sculpture, with the aim of completing the necessary repairs to the sculpture.
This resulted in an out-of-court settlement totalling £1.7 million in damages for breach of contract and negligence.
Credit: Geograph (Peter Teal)
Following the publishing of an investigative report into the sculpture in 2009, Manchester City Council recommended that B of the Bang should be dismantled and placed in storage until funds could be raised for its safe reinstatement.
Several possibilities for the future of the sculpture were posed, but the report underlined the necessity for extensive testing to ensure these were safe first.
Despite a number of pleas to keep the sculpture erected – including from revered artist Anthony Gormley, who spoke out in its support, stating that: “It is a great tribute to Manchester that this groundbreaking work was commissioned [and] to allow it to disappear would be a loss not just of an inspirational artwork but also of the council’s nerve – removal of B of the Bang began in April 2009.
Although the council had originally promised to store the complex central core and legs, these too were cut apart during removal, which casted further doubt on future prospects for the landmark sculpture’s return at the time, and in early July 2012, the core was finally sold as scrap for £17,000.
But even though B of the Bang eventually fizzled out before its time, it’s hard to deny it made its mark on the city of Manchester.
Just perhaps not in the way it was originally intended.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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The Canal Street star that we’re backing to be the next queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
Danny Jones
Amid all the buzz of Manchester Pride 2025, the latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK also returns this August bank holiday, and fittingly a Canal Street has joined the lineup for series seven.
The parade and Gay Village Party aside, we genuinely can’t wait for the cult favourite TV show to be back on our screens.
Already a classic among the queer community following many years on the air over in America, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is set to debut its seventh season, and part of the fun is always meeting the cast.
While there’s often a Northern name or two, including multiple Mancunians in the past, we believe this year’s contestant has a good shot at winning the whole thing. Manchester, meet Bonnie Ann Clyde.
Who is Manchester’s adopted 2025 Drag Race star, Bonnie Ann Clyde?
Now, aside from having a fabulous and very classic drag name, the other twist when it comes to this Drag Race debutant is that she’s not technically a Manc.
What gave it away? Was it the accent?…
Born in Dublin and dubbing herself “Ireland’s best export”, the 30-year-old Bonnie Ann Clyde has been here for the past 12 months, and it’s her time around Canal Street – The Goose and Cruz 101, specifically – that has seen her grow in reputation.
Speaking to the show’s British broadcasters, she told fans old and hopefully soon to be: “You could say that I’ve been around the block a few times, but I prefer to say that I’m an international queen!
“Bonnie Ann Clyde was created in Dublin, [during] the mid-2010s, when drag was starting to get popular again. I performed in Dublin for six years, then I did a Summer in San Francisco, and after that I moved to Gran Canaria, where I performed for two and a half years.”
Quite the CV, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it’s only since she started gaining a following here in 0161 that she got the call to be the next series of Drag Race UK. After all, we do know a thing or two about the scene in these parts.
— KaMorian (Sparkling Alien 💫) (@ka_morian0121) August 22, 2025
Why we think she should and will win
Aside from being the resident Greater Manchester representative (be it as an ex-pat or not), it’s this kind of globetrotting experience of LGBTQIA+ entertainment culture, pulling knowledge from all manner of drag queen circuits, that we think she’s odds on to push for the crown this year.
Detailing why she thinks she deserves to be named champion in 2025, whilst doing an impression of Holly Jervis from X Factor, she said: “‘This is MY moment’.
“I’ve worked for years doing jobs I didn’t want to do, and I’ve worked so hard. I deserve this crown, I deserve that sceptre, I deserve that £25k, and you know what? I’m going to get it because I’m fabulous, I’m fantastic, I’m Bonnie Ann Clyde, and I’m going to win!”
You’ve got to love that self-confidence, and while there are some other Northern faces among the lineup this year – including the Yorkshire favourite and the first ever contestant from Leeds, Silllexa Diction – there’s no question about who we want to win.
Once again, series seven of RuPaul Drag Race UK gets underway at 9pm this Sunday, 24 August, on BBC Three, as well as iPlayer in case you’re busy partying at Manchester Pride 2025.
A new coffee shop by a familiar Manc influencer with an ‘Oasis-inspired’ name is opening in town
Danny Jones
We’re never short of cafés here in Manchester, especially in the city centre, and there are a fair few great ones in the Northern Quarter alone, but this new coffee shop from a famous local influencer is one to keep an eye on – especially as it’s a bit of an Oasis pun.
‘What’s the story?’, we hear you ask: Morning Glory, that’s what.
That’s right, NQ’s latest coffee spot is not only a fun little nod to the Britpop classic but a little bit of innuendo by an equally cheeky chappy and familiar content creator, Zack Hipps.
With the Oasis puns and double-entendre boxes ticked off, it already ticks a couple of boxes, but there are still plenty more reasons to think this will be a success.
Morning Glory is opening in the Northern Quarter at the end of the month. (Credit: Morning Glory)
To start with, the jokes don’t stop as sandwich lovers will be glad to hear that there will be ‘Glory Holes’ on the menu…
Calm down, it’s not that kind of gaff. These are bagels that are sliced, stuffed with whipped cream, brushed with garlic butter, before being rebaked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of honey thyme. That admittedly does sound rather naughty.
Bagels are the main foodstuff on the menu, with a lineup of stacked fillings such as grilled peach with goat’s cheese and chilli jam; roast chicken thigh with smoked garlic mayo, iceberg lettuce and red onion and a ‘next-level’ ham and cheese stack.
Oh yeah, and it’s not only a coffee shop but promises to be a great and affordable spot for grab-and-go joe, specifically, too.
Morning Glory will be helping kickstart Manc mornings in the best way: with a banging coffee and bagel brekkie deal for just £5, making it perfect for those early risers and rushes to the commuter trams – OR, indeed, the ideal hangover cure after a night out in the city.
Apart from the obvious Manchester music reference, the coffee bar is a fitting honey-yellow.The bagels are looking big and beautiful.The diagonal floor stripes are a nod to The Hacienda nightclub. (Credit: Supplied)
Now, with the space itself spanning just 50sqm and featuring just 12 seats, not to mention fast, value-for-money food and drink, everyone can admit this isn’t necessarily the spot to sit for hours chatting with your mates over a brew.
Although Zack describes the room as “casual, cosy and full of personality” and “proper good vibes”, assuring quality at all times, they also state it is about “no faff” and the menu is made for being on the move, which is absolutely fine with us.
For instance, indie suppliers Kyoto Matcha will be chipping in with drinks and local bakery Vainllis over in Ancoats will be delivering a fresh twist on the Manchester tart, both of which are easy to order takeout and enjoy on the go.
Best of all, to mark the launch, the first 100 people through the doors on from 8am on opening Saturday, 30 August. August will not only bag a free drink, but three lucky customers will be randomly chosen to win a golden ticket, entitling them to free coffee every single day for A WHOLE YEAR.
Speaking on the impending opening just weeks after Oasis left the city, Hipps says, “Morning Glory Coffee is my love letter to Manchester. We’ve grafted for months building the space, and it’s mad to think we’re finally opening the doors.
“It’s a warm, welcoming spot with proper Manc charm, and I’m buzzing to be working alongside some of my favourite local makers. Manchester’s got one of the best food scenes in the country, and we can’t wait to shine a light on all the incredible talent out there, whilst fuelling up Manc’s one brew at a time.”
See you in the queue on Oldham Street come launch day for great coffee, Oasis in the headphones and hopefully some rare but glorious Manchester morning sun.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2022 
