A lie down in Piccadilly Gardens? The Manchester billboard pic that’s gone viral

Pictures of a massive new billboard advert in Piccadilly Gardens have gone viral on social media – and the replies are hilarious.

Alongside a photo of a chocolate Magnum lolly, the advert suggests: “The only thing that can make lying on Piccadilly Gardens even better.”

But Mancs have been quick to point out that the area isn’t exactly known for its peaceful sunbathing opportunities.

“Good way for Magnum’s marketing department to reveal they’ve never been to or indeed, spoken to anyone from Manchester,” said Twitter user Amy Jones.

https://twitter.com/amybethjones/status/1513486760478748680

And it’s got everyone talking, with hundreds of retweets, comments – and, predictably, a lot of jokes.

“Enjoying a Magnum in Piccadilly Gardens, or as you might call it, a spice cream,” quipped @alexpeden1997, while @stevedouglas76 replied with a ‘one does not simply’ meme.

pic.twitter.com/sqD7GRtcMy

— Steve Douglas (@stevedouglas76) April 11, 2022

“I love lying on concrete (watching out for needles), eating a Magnum whilst watching the tramps fight,” said @GotUtdDNA_Serbs, to which @jonrl71 replied: “John Cooper Clarke‘s lost poem.”

“Lying on Piccadilly gardens?! Are you kidding me?! I’d probably get tetanus!” said @LMAtem.

Twitter user @crustyano joked, “You only time you lie down in Piccadilly Gardens is when you have been stabbed” – and @iainwattsphoto quipped: “Arguably still better with a magnum though.”

As someone who has never heard of Piccadilly gardens the comments have provided some useful context

— Caroline Harley (@charley0911) April 11, 2022

Meanwhile, people have shared their own Piccadilly Gardens stories.

“As everyone else is sharing their stories: once an old man approached me in Piccadilly Gardens to ask if he could pay to see my feet,” said @BronteSchiltz.

“A woman once punched me in Piccadilly Gardens because I had no spare change to give her. A very drunk man also once asked me and my friend if we could lend him a shoehorn,” said @ChristinaMcMc.

“One hot summer’s day in Piccadilly Gardens I saw a dishevelled middle-aged man in a black suit sit on the grass and down a litre carton of milk,” said @BeatnikSontag.

https://twitter.com/katie_khan/status/1513793073364578304

The comments have certainly cheered people up, though.

“Every morning I open Twitter and after a bit of scrolling, feel worse. But not today! The comments on this are gold,” said @katie_khan.

And as @ColletteWalsh points out, “Great PR though as this has gone all over today.”

Perhaps Magnum knew what they were doing after all?

I Love MCR knows Manchester. Businesses and brands can advertise on Manchester billboards with us by speaking to our out-of-home department. Call 0161 710 2665