Piccadilly Gardens to be fenced off for 18 months

Manchester City Council is preparing to erect hoardings around the maligned public square in March so that investigative and enabling works relating to its redevelopment can be carried out. 

A planning application lodged by and with the city council states the 2.4-metre high fencing would go up around half of the gardens on Monday 9 March, subject to planning approval. The remainder of the gardens will remain accessible in the first instance before being closed off later this year.

The erection of fencing marks tangible progress for the redevelopment of Piccadilly Gardens, which many have been calling for for years. It would also serve to render off limits a part of the city some already consider a no-go zone due to well-publicised issues around crime.

The site investigations and surveys to be carried out behind the hoardings are aimed at gathering information about ground conditions to help guide the future redevelopment of Piccadilly Gardens.   

In October, Manchester City Council unveiled plans to “put the gardens back into Piccadilly Gardens” with a greening strategy. 

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

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 in the early tens of millions. 

Manchester City Council was contacted for comment. 

AHR Architects is advising the city council.