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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Just perhaps not in the way it was originally intended.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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The full list of Greater Manchester Olympians representing Team GB at Paris 2024
Danny Jones
The Paris Olympics are nearly here and this year Greater Manchester happens to have eight athletes competing at the 2024 Summer Games.
It just so happens that eight is also the exact same number of local Olympians who brought home medals from Tokyo 2020, and we’re hoping these lot will help Team GB bring back a record number, with the previous competition seeing them match their all-time record (65) set at London 2012.
Honestly, there are few times in the year that we love as much as when the summer of sport fully kicks in and with the heartbreak of the Euros finally starting to drift, we can fully throw ourselves into the Olympics and get behind our Mancs flying the flag for 0161.
But who exactly is representing Greater Manchester at Paris 2024 and what events are they competing in? Look no further.
Greater Manchester’s 2024 Team GB athletes and their sports
Without further ado, let’s meet our local Olympic heroes:
Keely Hodgkinson – Wigan – Athletics
Starting out over in the home of the Latics, pie barms and The Verve, we have Wigan‘s very own Keely Hodgkinson: a two-time European champion who also recently broke the all-time British record in the 800m at the Diamond League in London on 20 July.
Born in Atherton, the 22-year-old middle-distance runner’s career is already off to a flyer and having already picked up the silver in her event at the last Olympics at just 19, we have every faith she’ll be bringing home the gold this time.
Aimee Pratt – Stockport – Athletics
Over to Stockport (don’t start with that Cheshire nonsense today, just be proud she’s from around here) and our 3000m steeplechase specialist, who already broke the national record twice in 2022 and produced the UK’s best-ever finish (7th) in the women’s event at the World Athletics Championships.
A long-standing member of Sale Harriers running club and a University of Manchester graduate, Aimee Pratt, 26, has got so much local backing behind her and has quickly gone from rising star to very much looking like she’s going to live up to the expectations of becoming ‘world-class’ as coaches predicted.
The third and final Manc representing us in athletics events is Bury-born and bred Hannah Kelly, 23, who is also a member of nearby Bolton United Harriers.
She was part of the crack team at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow that helped Great Britain reach a women’s 4x400m national record, picking up the bronze medal and will no doubt be looking to go on further in her Olympic debut.
Now into the world of combat sport and the incredible story of Trafford boxer Pat Brown’s journey to Paris 2024 who beat Poland’s Mateusz Bereznicki in a qualifier back in March and now finds himself heading to his first-ever appearance at the Olympics.
Coming through the ranks at his local clubs Moss Side Fire Station and Sale West ABC, the 24-year-old has gone through his fair share of challenges of late, losing his best friend and cousin shortly after sealing his place at the Games but now has more spirit and motivation behind him than ever.
Moving over to the world of cycling and there’s just one local name taking part in two-wheeled events this year: 28-year-old sensation, Charlotte Worthington, from just down the road in Chorlton.
One of the select few Team GB athletes who managed to pick up an Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020, the BMX star is not only ready to defend her title – becoming the first women’s champion freestyle park champion in history – but is looking to come back stronger than ever after some time out.
Insane stuff.
Anthony Harding – Ashton-under-Lyne – Diving
On to those wading through Paris waters in the name of Manchester, the first of two aquatic athletes competing at this year’s tournament is Antony Harding from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside.
Joining forces will Britain’s first-ever Olympic diving champion, Jack Laugher (who won the gold at Rio 2016), the duo have already brought home Commonwealth and European gold in the 3m synchro, as well as a pair of World Championship silver medals in the last two years. Is 2024 set for more gold?
And completing the water-bound Team GB athletes hailing from 0161 is multiple-gold medal-winner James Guy who, to use a phrase the kids are using, really is ‘that guy‘.
Another Bury native, the 27-year-old swimmer already has a big collection of gold medals in both the 200m and 4x200m freestyle at the Worlds, as well as silvers across multiple events over the past few years. With five Olympic medals in total to date, we’re desperate for him to add a gold to that list.
Georgia Taylor-Brown – Droyslden – Triathlon
Last but certainly not least is Droyslden’s Georgia Taylor-Brown, who was born to be an Olympian after her mum and Dad swam and ran, respectively, but continues to chase her own story of greatness, having picked up silver on her Olympics debut at Tokyo 2020 – even whilst nursing an injury.
With two golds at the 2019 World Triathlon Mixed Relay Series and AJ Bell World Triathlon in Leeds as well, we already know the colour looks good on her. You can listen to her full interview about going for gold yet again on BBC Sounds HERE but, for now, we’ll admit that her talking about coping with missing her dog come race time has made us love her even more:
Passport ✅ Hotel ✅ Alfie the cavapoo 🥰@TeamGB triathlete Georgia Taylor-Brown from Droylsden on what she can't live without at the Olympics.
Fingers crossed out Greater Manchester Olympians will absolutely smash it at Paris 2024 and regardless of how many medals they come home with, we already know they’ll give it their all.
No matter what, they’ll be welcomed back with a lovely homecoming party over at the AO Arena and we already have a great place to watch the events too.
Best of luck to our Mancs and all of Team GB – now go and do us proud!
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.