Galliford Try to lead Piccadilly Gardens transformation

The contractor has been appointed alongside landscape architect Planit and structural and highways engineer Civic to revamp the maligned civic space.

Manchester City Council has announced the appointment of Galliford Try as the main contractor and aims to submit a planning application for the project later this year.

In October, the city council pledged to “put the gardens back into Piccadilly Gardens” with a package of improvements to make it more “colourful, vibrant and inviting”.

As well as increased planting to brighten up Piccadilly Gardens, the city council will rip out fountains and increase the amount of grass and flowers.

In addition, the proposals will see a multi-agency base and improved CCTV installed to help tackle and reduce the crime and anti-social behaviour the gardens has become synonymous with.

Better lighting, a new playground, a flexible events space, and an accompanying programme of events also form part of the project. It is understood the investment in the first phase of the Piccadilly Gardens project is £15m.

Some preliminary work has already begun behind hoardings erected earlier this month. Later phases of the wider revamp of the area include a new multi-model transport interchange.

Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “We are cracking on with delivering improvements to Piccadilly Gardens to make it an attractive, welcoming and colourful space in which Mancunians can take pride.

“The appointment of the delivery team is a big milestone in this transformative project to create a better Piccadilly Gardens which makes a positive contribution to the city centre.”

Elizabeth Bell, Galliford Try operations director, said: “We are delighted to be selected for such a significant, landmark scheme, building on our experience of delivering high-quality spaces in Manchester alongside our designers Planit and Civic, including the Medieval Quarter, Glade of Light.”