November start for Piccadilly Gardens revamp
Main contractor Galliford Try is lined up to begin work on the Planit-led redesign of the Manchester public space, now that planning permission has been granted by the city council.
Coming Piccadilly Gardens’ way once work starts in November:
- a 4,900 sq ft children’s play area (more than double the size of the current one)
- 49 new trees representing 15 different species
- 48 species of flowering plants
- 32 benches
- revised layout to improve sight lines
- enhanced lighting
- improved CCTV
- restoration of the three listed statues in the park
- a flexible events structure (this is part of a future planning application)
Absent from the plans is the street market that currently operates on the site, with this due to be relocated to an unnamed part of the city.
Planit is the masterplanner for the refreshed Piccadilly Gardens plans from the city council. Credit: Virtual Planit
Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Garry Bridges described improving the 2.3-acre Piccadilly Gardens as “a big priority”.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
In addition to Planit and Galliford Try, the project team for Piccadilly Gardens includes Civic, Enabl, Arup, Arbtech, Hoare Lea, and Counter Context.
Learn more by searching reference PLA-2026-001348 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
