Manchester's famous Christmas markets are not expected to return to Piccadilly Gardens after the area began 2023 as a 'mud bath'. There's still one more Christmas to go before the city's festive markets can return home to Albert Square.
In recent years, the popular markets have sprawled across the city centre, with Piccadilly Gardens hosting several food and drink traders. But town hall bosses are now looking for alternatives to host the market in 2023, after the market and New Year's Eve celebrations have left Piccadilly Gardens looking a mess.
Coun Pat Karney, city centre spokesperson at Manchester council, told the Manchester Evening News: "It's about the worst I've seen it, with the weather. Over Christmas we've had the markets here for six weeks, we had about 100,000 people.
"I can see it looks horrible and a mess, I can see what everyone else can see, and it's because people have got affection for Piccadilly Gardens. It's in everyone's memories in Manchester.
"The problem is, this area is used for multi-purposes all the time. It will probably be the last time we're here because we'll go somewhere else next year. It's still a headache with Albert Square not being available."
Piccadilly Gardens' latest muddy appearance has been heavily criticised on social media, with one Twitter user even comparing it to the muddy trenches of the Somme. Coun Karney admits the site's appearance is 'the price we paid' for its use over the festive season - and now the search is on for a different location for the Christmas Markets in 2023.
"We'll have a good rethink about this," he added. "Now that the damage after six weeks is like it is, I don't want to be here in 12 months' time. We'll have a look at other areas, we might look at St Peter's Square or something like that.
"We had over 100,000 people here, had a great time at Christmas. That's the dilemma we've got, but we get the message - it is a mud bath. We're gonna be on the case, get it cleaned up pretty quickly, and we apologise."
The turf at Piccadilly Gardens is set to be replaced, and Coun Karney insists 'this won't happen again'. It's the latest episode in the saga of Piccadilly Gardens, with Mancunians promised plans to revive the area in recent years.
This year is expected to see some firm action, Coun Karney says. Manchester council is set to choose a plan from one of three development groups, who will then be tasked with carrying out a multi-million pound refurbishment of Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding area.
"We're determined to get it right," said Coun Karney. "We're determined to make sure that Mancunians see the radical changes that we're going to make and that they will be pleased and proud of Piccadilly Gardens."
"2023 is going to be good news for Piccadilly Gardens," he added. "I know you've heard it for a long time, but it's gonna happen this year."
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