Piccadilly Gardens to be fenced off in aid of costly revamp

CGI image of the proposed design for Piccadilly Gardens | Image credit: Manchester City Council

Manchester city centre’s Piccadilly Gardens are due to be fenced off for 18 months prior to a multi-million pound transformation of the space.

Immediate plans to improve the appearance of the gardens are led by Manchester City Council, with efforts being made to make the area feel safer and more inviting for residents and visitors alike.

Refurbishment efforts come after longstanding issues with crime and antisocial behaviour in the area, as well as residents feeling unsafe in what was once known to be a more welcoming place.

Plans for illuminated fencing could go ahead as soon as March, with the first phase of work being completed in 12 months.

Piccadilly Gardens Metrolink stop | Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Councillor Bev Craig said: “We want Piccadilly Gardens to be a space Mancunians are proud of once again – and that’s what we are determined to do.”

The Council aim for ‘a better use of space’ alongside upgraded CCTV and a strengthened police presence.

Although works are welcomed by many, some feel as if mistakes made during previous re-designs will be repeated.

Criticisms of the area’s current design focus on heavy use of dull concrete features and lack of actual green space, alongside worries that more high-rise tower blocks will be erected in the area around the gardens themselves.