A city centre resident said the decision to install a wooden structure in Piccadilly Gardens has made the public square ‘worse’ when ‘no-one thought [it] could’. Scott Dawson, who has lived near the gardens for nearly 10 years, believes the structure is taking up valuable green space which could be used by sun-seekers on a nice day.
The wooden platform was installed as part of the city’s annual Christmas markets last winter. Since then it has mainly remained closed. Mr Dawson believes it should be kept open to the public while it stays in place.
The M.E.N. understands the council has plans in place to use the platform — which was opened for St Patrick’s Day — as part of the city’s jubilee celebrations. It’s also thought that the area will be used later in the year, for the Christmas Markets again.
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However, Mr Dawson wants to see the space used more regularly. He said: “These special days, like St Patrick’s Day are great, but they are not every day. No-one thought they could make it worse, but they have. It is shocking.
“It is not open at all. If you [get] a lovely weekend then people will be sitting on the grass. They have made it worse", the 45-year-old said.
Scott has also come up with some suggestions for repurposing the platform. He added: “Take the gates off or incorporate the food market. Or, even if they opened it and closed the gates at 7pm, then it’s something.
“We need a performance stage that’s fixed, then people can preach or sing. It is a creative city and we have very creative space there apart from what little grass there is.”
When contacted by the Manchester Evening News, the council's city centre spokesperson, Coun Pat Karney, said plans were in the works for the space. He said: "We are developing a programme of activity to use the platforms for events that will initially include the Jubilee Weekend, Manchester Day and the UEFA Women’s European Championships and will then be utilised throughout the year - including this coming Christmas - to deliver a vibrant programme of activity that will include markets and cultural content until the regeneration plans for the area are finalised."
