News
Here’s what should happen to Piccadilly Gardens, according to Mancunians
It has ignited a fresh conversation about what can be done to improve the area
We asked our readers what they would like to see done with Piccadilly Gardens now that the Christmas Markets have been taken down.
There’s no denying this open space area situated in the heart of the city, which connects the many areas of Greater Manchester, is in dire need of a glow up.
As the gateway of the city, it’s hardly a welcoming place and not representative of what the city of Manchester has achieved and what it means to its people.
Piccadilly Gardens was once landscaped as a pretty sunken garden area with benches for visitors to sit and enjoy the surrounding flowers and open space.
After the 1996 IRA bombing, the city underwent an urban renewal programme and the gardens were made into a one-level concrete pavilion with fountains that spat out from the ground.
The design of the new gardens was drawn up by the renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando.
In 2002 it also gained a concrete slab nicknamed the ‘Berlin Wall’ which completed the design in time for the Commonwealth Games that year.
Sadly, over the years the area has gained a bad reputation for being a hotspot for crime and drug use and has become the part of town many try to avoid where possible.
Last year, after rainy weather and the Christmas Markets were taken down, the grassed sections of the gardens had completely turned to mud and Piccadilly Gardens became even more of an eyesore than it’s already criticised for.
Manchester City Council re-turfed the gardens and visitors to the city were seen basking in the sun over the summer.
The central site for the Christmas Markets was usually Albert Square, but as the Town Hall has been undergoing huge repairs and refurbishment, the main hub used for the stalls over the festive season has been in Piccadilly.
On the approach of the Christmas Markets 2023, protective decking and walkways were put in place in the hope that it would not happen again.
But although the site didn’t turn into a complete mud bath this new year, it seems the gardens will need some TLC again to give it back some element of ‘garden’ – with a fresh layer of turf put down this week to start the process.
With what was once the focal point of the city looking like it needs some tlc, we asked Proper Manchester readers what they think should be done to improve Piccadilly Gardens.
Mags Hughes commented: “It looks a disgrace. Why can’t Manchester get to grips with this open space? It’s been a thorn in the side for way too long while the rest of the city makes amazing strides?”
Ann Kay suggested the area be transformed into ‘beautiful gardens with flowers and benches so you can sit and have a coffee or a sandwich at lunch times’.
She added: “The old gardens were lovely. Don’t know why they were ever changed.”
Kevin Yates said Piccadilly needs ‘trees, big trees. We need lungs in the city’. Mark Tracey vented: “New grass every year, fenced off for 3 months.”
Janette Harris remembers: “I worked in the city centre during the ’70s and early ’80s. It was a beautiful place to sit for lunch in the summers back then. It’s just awful now. So sad to see.”
Tracy Lyn has an idea – similar to that in Dubai – of what she would like to happen to Piccadilly Gardens, as she says: “A lovely grand fountain. With lights. A small performance area so musicians can perform and deckchairs in summer.
“The fountain can do a light show in time to music. It can be for all ages. What better way to showcase our technology and local musicians.”
Judy Valentine commented: “Gardens, flowers, lawns and benches. Needs lots of colourful flowers and to be regularly cleaned and maintained.”
And Barbara Jones added: “Lovely green grass. New benches to sit on. Beautiful flowers everywhere and a nice little section where you can buy drinks and food.”
It seems the people of Manchester would like to see some colour added to this grey and gloomy area with the addition of flowers, as well as some greenery – putting the ‘garden’ back into Piccadilly Gardens.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
News
More human remains discovered in Greater Manchester as police identify victim
All the latest updates
Detectives investigating the discovery of a torso in Kersal Dale have found more human remains around Greater Manchester.
GMP released a statement on the weekend, revealing they had opened four scenes for extensive searches – one of them at a warehouse in Bury, and three in Salford.
Searches took place at Blackleach reservoir, where human remains were found, and a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood.
Officers believe they have now identified the man, who they believe to be a man in his 60s that lived in Salford, and his family have been informed.
Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder probe, with officers saying they are thought to have lived with the victim.
Greater Manchester Police / Facebook
Detective Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Senior Investigating Officer for this investigation, said in a statement at Blackleach reservoir yesterday, Sunday April 28th: “We have continued to make significant progress in our investigation into human remains being found in Kersal earlier this month.
“From day one, our priority has been to identify the man and his family so that we can give them the support and the answers that they need.
“Thanks to meticulous forensic work, we are now confident we have identified the man. Formal identification hasn’t yet taken place, but we believe he is a man in his 60s and lived in Salford.
“Specially-trained family liaison officers have met with his family this afternoon to give them the devastating news, and we will do all that we can to support them at this awful time.
“We believe he is known to the two suspects we have in custody. They have remained in custody for questioning over the weekend, as we work to establish how the victim met this tragic outcome.”
He continued: “We have painstakingly worked to follow up every line of inquiry in this investigation. Over the last couple of days, we have acted on information and had four scenes in place for extensive searches – one of them is at a warehouse in Bury, and three of them are in Salford, including here at Blackleach reservoir.
“Today, we have found some human remains at the reservoir here, and last night a dog walker found a package containing human remains at Colliery Wood. Forensic tests will continue to establish whose remains these are, but we are very confident that this is also the victim in our investigation.
“We have also been searching a house in Winton where we believe the victim and the two suspects lived. We have found evidence that the victim is likely to have died there – most likely in late March.
“While this is significant progress, we know there is still some way to go to complete this investigation. I also recognise details of this case will have been distressing for the people of Salford and beyond – including the officers that are diligently working on this investigation, and most importantly the man’s heartbroken family.
“Local officers will continue to patrol the affected areas, and we will provide updates when we have more information.”
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Huge beer festival with more than 500 different varieties coming to Manchester
New makers market with everything from dog accessories to house plants and jewellery coming to Manchester
New apartment development with huge gardens and outdoor space opening this year
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Manchester Flower Festival returns with tributes to Sarah Harding and Caroline Aherne
