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City centre gardens to be fenced off for 18 months

Richard Stead,North West, in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchesterand
Angela Ferguson,North West
News imageBBC A man with short grey hair and a beard is wearing glasses and a dark blue coat while standing close to railings in Piccadilly Gardens. Around six people can be seen walking nearby.BBC
Gary Lamb says this used to be a place where people could relax and chat

Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens is to be fenced off for 18 months while it undergoes a multi-million pound revamp to make it "an attractive world-class space", according to council officials.

The area – in the middle of the city centre – has become associated with anti-social behaviour and crime.

But officials said there would be more safety measures, greenery and public events, as they remove the unpopular "defunct walls" and attempt to "put the 'gardens' back in Piccadilly Gardens" following public feedback.

Some city residents told BBC Radio Manchester that the place had "lost its charm".

News imageMetal fencing can be seen around Piccadilly Gardens, with a pile of railings laid on the ground.
The fountain in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens will be decommissioned during the work

Gary Lamb, 76, from Denton, said: "It used to be a fabulous place to come to - now you've got to have your wits about you."

"It used to be all seats, benches and everybody was respectful, chatting to everybody."

News imageA woman wearing glasses, a cream and blue woolly hat, turquoise jumper, purple jacket or scarf and a black coat is looking at the camera. Fencing panels, people and a tram can be seen nearby.
Anne Lyno, 83, from Pendlebury, says she does not feel safe around the area at night

Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig previously said: "We need Piccadilly Gardens to up its game and play its part in welcoming millions of people into our city every year."

Anne Lyno, 83, said she previously felt safe when she worked nearby but added: "I won't come into Manchester at night now.

"It's a mess at the moment isn't it?"

News imageManchester City Council A computer generated image of people enjoying a summer day on a grassy area with a paved square in the middle surrounded by flowersManchester City Council
Manchester City Council says it wants Piccadilly Gardens to be a space "Mancunians were proud of again"

Sophie Short, who was showing her parents around the city centre, said Piccadilly Gardens needed "sprucing up".

While city officials aim to make it a magnet for visitors – with extra play equipment, planting and a new transport interchange – the 27-year-old felt the city centre was not yet comparable with major urban European destinations.

News imageA woman with long curly brown hair and wearing glasses and a green jumper and dark green coat is smiling while standing in front of railings around Piccadilly Gardens. People are walking along the footpaths between the railings behind her.
Sophie Short, 27, says the gardens need a refurbishment

"I think there are gems within Manchester but this part doesn't compare to those cities unfortunately," Sophie said.

Another resident, Stephanie, said "centres should be somewhere where people congregate in something that is pretty to make the town look a really nice place.

"I think it's lost its charm. It's very noisy but you have to admit they have a good bus service."

News imageFencing panels surround an area of Piccadilly Gardens in which soil can be seen.
Large parts of Piccadilly Gardens have been fenced off since the Manchester Christmas Markets.
News imageManchester City Council A computer generated image of people enjoying a summer day on a paved aread surrounded by flowers and a grassy lawnManchester City Council
The council has released a set of computer generated images of the plans for the area

Stephanie added: "It could be a very beautiful square if they took the concrete out and put a bit of nature into the middle of it. It would be nice."

The council said residents would be invited via the Manchester Flower Festival to vote on which blooms should feature in the gardens.

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