Manchester City Council has published a detailed plan to transform Piccadilly Gardens, launching the first phase in what it describes as a longer-term transformation of the area.
The immediate programme includes measures to make the Gardens more colourful, decluttered and family-friendly. Plans detail the planting of trees, enhanced planting and seasonal floral displays. The now infamous concrete walls and raised planters will be removed to open up sightlines and improve flow around the space. The existing children’s playground will be refreshed or replaced to match the quality seen in newer city play areas.
In parallel, the council will install upgraded CCTV and lighting, expand security coverage, and remove obstructions to present a cleaner public realm. A stronger multi-agency presence is also promised: council staff, police and other bodies will be more visible on the ground, and Greater Manchester Police will establish a base in or adjacent to the Gardens to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We want Piccadilly Gardens to be a space Mancunians are proud of once again. Manchester City Centre has grown and changed, and there are lots of exciting things happening in our city. We need Piccadilly Gardens to up its game and play its part in welcoming millions of people into our city every year. People tell us they want it cleaned up, brightened up, invested in and made to feel safer. It’s still called Piccadilly Gardens and we’ve heard loud and clear from Manchester people that they want its appearance to do more to reflect that name.
“We’re going to give them more greenery and more flowers as part of a co-ordinated range of measures to improve the look and feel of the area. We know there are aspects of Piccadilly Gardens that no longer work – in the case of the fountains quite literally – and we’re determined to ensure the space looks better and feels better. Ripping out the defunct walls, opening up the Gardens and investing in improvements. We’ll also be focused on ensuring the area is lively for all the right reasons with a programme of great, family-friendly events, from this year’s Christmas Markets onwards. Crucially, this plan is not just about what the Council can deliver but a multi-agency blueprint to address issues with crime and anti-social behaviour, and in invest in other sustainable improvements. All these elements will work together. This plan, getting underway quickly, is the beginning of a bright new chapter for Piccadilly Gardens.”
City centre spokesperson Cllr Pat Karney said: “Piccadilly Gardens isn’t living up to anything like its potential at the moment but it could and should be a great public space for Manchester. This plan promises to be a massive leap forward. We’ve already demolished most of the hated wall but this package of improvements will go further to make a real and lasting difference. We thank GMP for their support in this plan – its success will be not just in improving the appearance of Piccadilly Gardens but in reassuring people that it’s a safe and welcoming space.”
Chief Superintendent David Meeney, GMP’s City of Manchester commander, said: “Piccadilly Gardens is a vital part of our city centre, and we know how important it is that people feel safe and confident spending time there.” He said police were working with the council to align lighting, CCTV and intelligence gathering to deter criminal activity.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, emphasised the transport potential: “Piccadilly Gardens plays a vital role in connecting people across our city region, with hundreds of thousands of journeys made in and around there every single week. We are working closely with the Council to significantly improve facilities for Bee Network passengers by creating a more accessible, modern and welcoming interchange in the heart of the city centre.”
Beyond this near-term package, the council says it is working with partners on a future multi-million pound transport interchange through Transport for Greater Manchester, and engaging landscape architects (LDA Design) to shape a longer-term vision.
Residents will be invited to help refine the designs — for example, via the Manchester Flower Festival, where the public can vote on floral selections.
Physical works that do not require planning permission are expected to begin soon after the Christmas Markets conclude in November.
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