England Guide
The Northwest
Piccadilly Gardens
For years, the bleak expanse of Piccadilly Gardens, to the east of the Arndale Centre and about ten minutes' walk from Victoria Station, interrupted the architectural flow of the city centre, but a recent beautification by Japanese architects has dramatically enhanced its character, adding trees, a fountain and water jets, and a pavilion at one end to screen off the traffic. The gardens remain a major local transport hub and gateway to the still shabby but improving Oldham Street, which has been adopted by "alternative" entrepreneurs who have dubbed it the Northern Quarter. Traditionally, this is Manchester's garment district and you'll still find shops and wholesalers selling high-street fashions, shop fittings, mannequins and hosiery, but there are also new design outlets, lots of music stores, and some cool bars and cafés.