Piccadilly Gardens work begins amid call for Christmas Markets to return to Albert Square

Work to give Piccadilly Gardens some much-needed TLC after its stint hosting the Christmas Markets has begun.

The public square is set for a major overhaul in the coming years after design team LDA was appointed to give the space a rethink. Its reputation has been tarnished over the past few years by frequent instances of drug use and dealing, antisocial behaviour, and how it looks in the winter.

The space has become a host of the city’s annual Manchester Christmas Markets, which run from mid-November to a few days before December 25. To make the event happen, council teams erect platforms and huts so traders can sell their items, and punters can enjoy a bite to eat or some refreshments.

In doing so, it usually means the grass is churned up — leaving the Gardens resembling a muddy mess in January. Last year, Manchester City Council re-turfed the area in response to complaints about its appearance, and it is now taking place again.

“All other structures come down over the next few weeks,” said Coun Pat Karney, who heads up the panel that coordinates the council’s festive events. He tweeted to confirm re-turfing began on Monday (January 8), and also signalled his support for taking the Markets back to Albert Square. He added: “We were forced to use the Gardens in the absence of Albert Square. Bring back Albert Square.”

That public space is currently a building site for the ‘Our Town Hall’ restoration project, which will breathe new life into the city’s administrative headquarters. Originally set to complete in 2024 so the Markets could move back there, the Town Hall renovation does not currently have an end date due to cost and time overruns.