Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens have been given the green light, with work now able to begin this autumn.
Manchester City Council received no objections to the proposals, allowing officials to approve the full planning application without it needing to go before next month’s Planning Committee.
The decision means that preparation works can continue apace ready for the main works due to get underway in November.
The plan is for a more colourful, more vibrant, safer and more inviting Piccadilly Gardens.
Key elements of the application include:
Putting the ‘Gardens’ back in Piccadilly Gardens – more green space including lawn, trees, planting, seating and colourful horticultural displays.
A new space for family-friendly events - removing the old, unreliable fountains and creating a new space to hold enjoyable events and activities throughout the year.
Better use of space -Removing the unsightly low concrete walls and raised planters along the edge of Piccadilly Gardens, close to the Queen Victoria statue, and improving the statue’s setting.
Refreshing the existing children’s play area - creating a new, larger playground for younger children. This will be of the same high quality as recently-created new play areas such as those at Mayfield Park and Ancoats Green but designed specifically to suit Piccadilly Gardens.
The plans will also support a safer space through improved sightlines, better lighting and enhanced CCTV.
The Council and partners are clear that delivering a better Piccadilly Gardens cannot just be about physical improvements but requires improvements to how the area is managed and maintained. This process has already started, with changes including a strengthened police presence, but a new management model is being developed to ensure that improvements are sustained.
Once the physical works are completed, the Council aims to ensure a regular stream of bespoke family-friendly activity and seasonal events to enjoy.
The new scheme will complement other changes taking place in the immediate vicinity of the Gardens, including the major Rylands redevelopment (of the Grade II-listed former Debenhams building) which is creating a new office, retail and leisure destination, and the recently-approved plans to refurbish and improve One Piccadilly Gardens.
Further planned improvements to the area around Piccadilly Gardens in the coming years will include a multi-million-pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester to create a new, modern transport interchange.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
We’re getting on with the task of improving Piccadilly Gardens. It’s a big priority for me.
Securing planning permission means that before this year is out, we can get started properly on work to transform the space and have it finished and ready for the public to use next year.
Piccadilly Gardens has huge potential to be a real asset to the city and its people. We know it hasn’t been good enough – but that’s about to change.
The application reference is PLA-2026-001348 viewable at: https://arcusbe.manchester.gov.uk/pr/s/detail/a1DSl000009RsaD
