PLUS: ‘Diners have forgotten their manners’
Hello
The fountains are out, as is what’s left of the Berlin Wall. The days of delivery riders, street drinkers and drug dealers could also be numbered.
But flowers, grass and families are definitely in. That, in a nutshell, is the blueprint for the revamped Piccadilly Gardens.
Work on the long-awaited transformation of Manchester city centre’s biggest public square will finally begin in the new year. And after years of debate over the design, today Manchester Evening News politics reporter Joseph Timan exclusively revealed what’s being planned.
The first phase of the work, which will start after Christmas, will see the fountains ripped out to make way for more grass as well as a permanent space for events while the playground will double in size. Flowers will return to the gardens with the public set to vote on which varieties will feature while the walls on the Piccadilly end will be knocked down and lighting improved to brighten up the space.
It’s hoped the redesign will help reduce the crime and anti-social behaviour that has long plagued the square. Police will have a dedicated team in the gardens that could share a base with a tourist information centre, while plans for a new transport interchange are also in the pipeline.
Coun Pat Karney, council leader Bev Craig and Chief Supt David Meeney(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The new Piccadilly Gardens will also have a dedicated events space for things such as free family activities and screenings of major sporting ties. City centre spokesperson Pat Karney described the plans as the ‘biggest change’ in Piccadilly Garden’s history.
He said: “Piccadilly Gardens isn’t living up to anything like its potential at the moment but it could, and should, be a great public space for Manchester.
“This plan promises to be a massive leap forward. We’ve already demolished most of the hated wall but this package of improvements will go further to make a real and lasting difference.”
The first time ever I saw your face
Chris Slater taking part in a test of the new facial recognition technology(Image: Manchester Evening News)
In a scene straight out of a Jason Bourne film, facial recognition technology will be used by police on the streets of Greater Manchester for the first time next week. Civil rights groups and privacy campaigners have consistently opposed the tech, saying it invades people’s privacy, and carries an unacceptable risk of misidentification.
But senior GMP officers say that the ‘phenomenal’ new tool could prove to be a ‘step change’ in how they search for both wanted criminals, and vulnerable missing people. Earlier week Chris Slater went along to see the software in use – and took part in a test run using his own handsome mug.
Show me the money
More on the apparent money problems at Pride now. In yesterday’s newsletter we reported how several artists who performed at this year’s festival are still waiting to be paid.
Amid reports the company behind Pride faces impending administration amid financial troubles, LGBTQ+ reporter Adam Maidment has been taking a look at their accounts and speaking to more performers still waiting for their money.
‘Diners have forgotten their manners’
Muhammad Ali once said ‘I don’t trust anyone who’s nice to me but rude to the waiter’. It’s a quote our What’s On editor Jenna Campbell thinks about a lot when she’s eating out.
That’s because ever since covid and amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis she’s seen an alarming increase in diners being rude to serving staff. And, as she writes here, she’s sick of it.
Snooker loopy
Jude at the table(Image: TikTok/@judey147)
Luke Littler throwing darts in his nappy, a nine-year-old Rory McIlroy chipping golf balls into his family’s washing machine and a pint-sized Lewis Hamilton demolishing his rivals on the go-kart track.
To that list of childhood sporting prodigies, you can now add two-year-old Mancunian snooker ace Jude.
Video of the toddler, who uses a special stool to reach the table, cueing up a storm has gone viral after being posted on social media. Greta Simpson caught up with his dad to discuss the tot’s remarkable talent.
Weather etc
Weekend forecast: It’s looking pretty grey and wet unfortunately. Saturday will be overcast, with some sunny spells in the afternoon, while Sunday will see light rain, with temperatures around average for this time of year at 14-15C.
Metrolink: There will be a bit of disruption on the Metrolink on Sunday due to ongoing engineering work. No trams are running between Deansgate Castlefield, Exchange Square, Piccadilly Gardens and Market Street and there’s also a replacement bus service between Crumpsall and Bury.
Manchester headlines
Gig announcement: Courteeners have announced a huge one-off show at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park next summer. The Middleton band will play the south Manchester park on Saturday, August 29. Read more
Dog attack: A dog was seized by police after biting its owner’s hand in Bury. Police were called to Woodhill Road, near Burrs Country Park, at around 2.30pm yesterday. More here
Tory win: Conservatives are celebrating after bucking the party’s dismal showing in the national opinion polls by winning the vacant Broadheath ward seat in a by-election in Trafford. Dr Kaushik Chakraborty has regained the seat he lost by just six votes to then-Labour rival Ulrich Savary in 2024.