If you’ve wandered through Piccadilly Gardens recently, you might have noticed the huge stacks of shipping containers that have suddenly appeared in the space.
After doing a bit of digging, we can confirm that the gardens are in the process of being transformed into an official fan area that coincides with Manchester being announced as the host city for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Fan Festivals.
The Fan Festival will welcome fans and friends of all ages, from home and abroad, to be a part of the biggest ever European women’s sporting event.
Piccadilly Gardens was transformed last year as part of Christmas Markets that are held yearly across the city, and the council are keen to keep reinventing the space to curb some of the anti-social behaviour in the area.
Now the space is being developed once again with a number of large shipping containers. The new, two-storey concept also features a bridge across the walkway and will soon be covered in plants and shrubbery, too.
Cllr John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s executive member for employment and leisure, said: “We are currently working to develop the event space in Piccadilly Gardens ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euros that begins in July.
“This will include a big screen area, food and drink traders and public space to create an official fan area.
“The beginning of the build is now visible at the event space in the Gardens and will undergo planting and dressing ahead of the Euros competition.
“There is then the potential for the event structure to be retained for the events programme that is being developed for the coming months, including Christmas this year. This could include a performance space, community area, children’s activities and more.
“Using the Piccadilly Gardens space positively through activity and events is already reducing some of the more problematic anti-social behaviour in the area.
“The recent Manchester Day Youth Zone is a good example and we are continuing to develop a programme of events that will ensure the Gardens is welcoming for families and visitors alike.”
