An Acrobatic Welcome...

Opposite the site of former music venue The Haçienda, a series of five 2.5m sculptures set on stainless steel columns welcomes visitors to First Street.

An £80m development spread over a 20 acre site, will include hotels, offices, theatres, commercial properties, student accommodation and a public square hosting outdoor performances, due to be completed in 2014.

The acrobatic inspired sculptures were created by Colin Spoffort and were erected in September 2010 costing the city council £150,000 and sparking controversy when they were erected because of the expenditure.