Balanced upon a block in the center of Manchester Northern Quarter is a 10-foot-tall broom and dustpan. Rather than simply a random addition to the area’s unique, and sometimes quirky, character, these oversized implements are emblematic of the city’s pride and promise. Much like the abundance of bees that occupy the city’s bollards and buildings, this sculpture, A New Broom, pays tribute to Manchester’s workers, past and present, whose industry and drive make the city thrive.
In the decades following the Second World War, many of Britain’s industrial cities experienced a downturn in their fortune and by the latter half of the 20th century, Manchester was home to numerous abandoned buildings in disrepair. Efforts to improve the city center meant many of these sites were demolished, this was not the case across the city. The approach to revitalising the Northern Quarter focused on “tidying up” rather than tearing down, to allow the area to maintain the distinct, alternative style for which it remains iconic.
A New Broom was installed in 1999 following this endeavour in honour of the Northern Quarter’s regeneration and preservation.
