17-07-2025
Trombones and bucket hats in council chamber as motion passes to reinstate Northern Quarter landmark
City councillors were treated to a flamboyant trombone solo in the chamber yesterday (July 16) as they voted to approve the reinstatement of an icon of the Northern Quarter - the so-called 'Big Horn'.
Last month, city centre campaigner Fiona Moinuddin launched a petition to bring back the sculpture, which stood on the corner of Tib Street and Church Street for more than 17 years.
She described it as an 'iconic gateway' to the area which 'celebrated our city's industrial heritage and creative spirit'.
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Yesterday, Piccadilly councillor Jon-Connor Lyons said he had been contacted by Moinuddin who said the Northern Quarter felt 'a bit flat'.
"I told her I would make some enquires and that she should stir up a bit of interest online," he continued. "What I didn't expect was a full blown campaign that delivered hundreds of signatures within a few weeks.
"Today I am very pleased to bring that grass roots energy to our chamber. Our motion asks the council and the church street developers we are working with to re-erect the ten-metre tall trombone.
"Nothing says welcome like a big artistic statement. Artist David Kent's Big Horn stood proudly on the corner of Tib Street and Church Street since 1999. it celebrated our industrial heritage and creative flair.
"It was unceremoniously removed in 2017 because of a development and stuck in storage, leaving our gateway to the Northern Quarter woefully underexposed.
"Restoring it isn't just about a sculpture - it's about signalling that Manchester values public art, our culture and community spirit that makes our city so vibrant.
"I ask you to support this motion by giving the Northern Quarter back its signature piece to ensure the Big Horn is re-erected, louder and prouder than ever."
Seconded by fellow Piccadilly councillor Adele Douglas, she made reference to the ongoing Oasis gigs at Heaton Park which have drawn thousands of tourists to Manchester.
"Once again, all eyes are on Manchester culture, as thousands of people travel to our city for the gig," she said. "Many of these fans will head to the Northern Quarter to experience some of the legendary Mancunian spirit.
"For 18 years the Big Horn stood as a symbol not only of the best of our creativity but also our industrial heritage, and the unique amalgamation of these two things that makes up the Northern Quarter.
"Bringing it back will enhance the public realm, support public art and honour our industrial past, all in one excellent move."
Standing up to comment on the motion - and in a nod to the ongoing gigs - Harpurhey councillor Pat Kearney paused to don a black Oasis bucket hat.
"The Big Horn was commissioned by the Northern Quarter Association, made up of residents, artists and people who worked in the area," he told the council. "I am so delighted that our hard-working councillors in Piccadilly have got behind this campaign.
"We had it originally to sell the Northern Quarter to the rest of the country. It was a very dark and not very attractive place at that time.
"In terms of breaking news, I can say exclusively that the council is going to ask Liam and Noel to open the Big Horn when we replace it.
"We know that them Burnage boys went on Oldham Street to all the record shops and in Dry Bar. And they must have seen the horn as they entered the Northern Quarter. So I am 100 percent that Noel and Liam will reply to us."
With a flourish, Cllr Kearney then introduced trombonist Doug Neil, who played at the original opening of the Horn 26 years ago, to 'activate the campaign. "Bring back the big horn!" he shouted.
Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw then invited Neil to 'take it away' before putting the motion to a vote - it passed unanimously.
