A new mural celebrating Manchester's LGBTQ+ heritage has been unveiled on Sackville Street Bridge just in time for Manchester Village Pride, following a community-led competition to find a local artist to transform the landmark.
Earlier this year, members of Manchester's LGBTQ+ community were invited to submit designs for a new artwork on the bridge, which sits in the heart of the city's historic Gay Village.
A judging panel made up of representatives from Manchester City Council, Friends of Manchester Gay Village, Friends of Sackville Gardens, the Village Licensed Business Association (VLBA) and LGBT Foundation reviewed the entries before selecting local artist Jack Dean as the winner.
Dean's proposal impressed judges with its focus on both the Village's rich history and its continuing importance as a space for LGBTQ+ people.
In his submission, Dean said: "I want to create something that feels important to our queer history of the scene."
The completed mural now joins the collection of public artworks that help define the character of the Gay Village, one of the UK's most significant LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods and a focal point for Manchester Village Pride celebrations.
The project forms part of wider efforts to preserve and strengthen the Village's identity as both a historic LGBTQ+ community space and a thriving cultural destination.
Graham Robson
Manchester City Council says protecting the area's legacy while supporting its future remains a priority. Recent initiatives have included a trial allowing Village venues to expand outdoor seating areas, helping businesses increase capacity and create a more vibrant atmosphere for visitors during challenging economic conditions.
The mural also complements the council's ongoing Gay Village Action Plan, which aims to bring together businesses, residents, community groups and local organisations to ensure the area remains a welcoming, successful and sustainable destination for years to come.
Councillor Basat Sheikh, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, welcomed the completion of the artwork ahead of one of the city's biggest LGBTQ+ celebrations.
"It’s wonderful to have seen Jack's mural come to life over the past week and, as we head towards Manchester Village Pride, it's a fantastic addition to our most vibrant of neighbourhoods," Sheikh said.
"The Gay Village is an incredibly important place both to the Council and to Mancunians. It's a constant reminder of our proud shared history of protest, inclusion and the pride we all feel as a community.
"With tens of thousands of people set to visit Manchester during our upcoming Pride celebrations, I hope that they will get a sense of what makes the Village special and why it is so important we protect it for generations to come."
The unveiling comes as Manchester prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for Manchester Village Pride, with the Gay Village once again serving as the heart of celebrations and a visible reminder of the city's long-standing LGBTQ+ history, activism and community spirit.
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