After a rather muddy start to 2023, the grass at Piccadilly Gardens is quite literally greener as Manchester City council has started to lay new turf across the city centre public space. What was described as a ‘mud bath’ after the area played host to Manchester Christmas Markets, as well as a New Year’s Eve countdown event, Piccadilly Gardens has now undergone a little transformation, with work “coming along nicely”.
Earlier this month photos surfaced of the gardens looking trodden and sparse post-festive celebrations, however councillor Pat Karney confirmed that the area would be returfed soon and that 2023 would be “an important year for the gardens”. This week, new turf has been laid at Piccadilly Gardens with the councillor for Harpurhey and Collyhurst tweeting a photo saying: “Piccadilly Grassed Gardens. Coming along nicely. Council Staff doing a brilliant job.”
With the gardens not in the best of condition at the start of January, this lead councillors to confirm that the festive markets will not be returning to the public space for 2023. Manchester Christmas Markets took place from a number of locations across the city centre including Piccadilly Gardens, however Manchester City Council will be looking for a new home with hints that St Peter’s Square might be a possible option.
However, the gardens now look greener and currently have fences around the area until the grass beds in, before it plays host to St Patrick’s and St George’s Day celebrations later in the year. The Labour councillor also revealed that the council will soon be choosing a design for the new regeneration of the Piccadilly Gardens area.