Hardened cynics might say it is a drain on city council resources. But they embrace history and will be walked on by its citizens and visitors for decades to come.
The winning designs for cast iron drain covers which will be fitted as part of public realm works in Albert Square have been chosen. Six people will literally leave their mark in the newly pedestrianised famous city-centre location.
The square was famously painted by French Impressionist, Adolphe Valette. It was among his urban landscapes of Manchester where he lived and worked as a sign designer, and later as an art teacher. Among those he taught was L S Lowry. Other artists have also been inspired by the square, including Liam Spencer.
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The winners will see their artistic designs made into cast iron drain covers as part of an historic regeneration project, in what the city councuil say "will be one of the finest civic spaces not just in the UK but in Europe."
One of the six drain covers, has been designed by Manchester City Council’s lead designer, Craig Green and the five winners are: Barney Ibbotson from Whalley Range, Eddie Campbell from Didsbury, Faz Barber from Whalley Range, Olivia Clermont from Didsbury and Unity Arts and Dan Birkbeck based in Chorlton.
Olivia's design focused on the waterways which cross the city centre - the River Irwell; River Medlock; and Ashton and Bridgewater Canals. Dan was inspired by the famous Manchester bee, and has a honeycomb background. Eddie highlights areas in which the city has excelled - art, science, commerce, painting, architecture, and music. Barney's work signposts the Lancashire rose, its industrial heritage, and football.
Faz Barber's design has a bee in the centre and then a message wound around four circles which says: "If you're circling the drain, just know we're feeling your pain, bt better days are coming, I swear you'll see them again, just look around you...the hope in our city is her for you rkid, so long may your spirit remain."
The judging panel, who whittled down 30 strong entries to the winning five, included deputy leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Luthfur Rahman and key members of the OTH Project Design Team, Paul Candelent (OTH Project Director), Jon Male (manufacturer of the drain covers), Kevin Redhead (Planit-ie our Public Realm designers), Jamie Coath (Lead architect from Purcell) and Craig Green (Manchester City Council Lead Designer).
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “People really embraced the idea of being involved in such a quirky element of this historic project and are leaving their own artistic legacy for future generations.
"The breadth of artistic license and the quality of the designs that we received was very impressive. We had a difficult time in choosing the winners, however, we all agreed that the winning designs were outstanding. We look forward to seeing these unique designs in place when Albert Square fully reopens."
Barney Ibbotson from Whalley Range, one of the competition winners, said: “I'm delighted and honoured to have been selected as one of the winning designers. To have my work made into something so permanent in such a prominent part of Manchester feels like a real achievement. I can't wait to be able to walk through Albert Square and see the design beneath my feet."
The cost of the drains will included in the £325m restoration of the city's Grade I listed neo-gothic Victorian town hall which closed in 2018 for the works. The seven-year programme, which is being funded by Manchester council and overseen by management contractor Lendlease, is scheduled to be complete by June 2024.
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