The winners of our ‘Life in Piccadilly’ photography competition are showcasing their entries alongside The Box Project (pictured); a design exhibition sponsored by The Piccadilly Partnership, at the former Nicky Oliver salon at Piccadilly Gardens.

The Box Project was organised by NoChintz and was won by Karen Smart from the University of Central Lancashire. The competition challenged Northwest creatives to think inside the box by designing a functional use for a 2mx2mx2m microstructure.

The winning box has sections of the walls fold down to make shelves, tables and seating; making it an ideal exhibition space for the winning photographs.

Natalie Gray, director of NoChintz said: “We were thrilled with the response to the competition and Karen’s winning design. We took the box project to 100% Design, the design exhibition in London who also supported the competition, and we received some great feedback. Now we are showcasing it in Piccadilly Gardens so people can see how it works.”

Janet Dunnett, chief executive of Piccadilly Partnership said: “It’s great to see a collaboration of creative work being held in Piccadilly. We had some fantastic entries in the ‘Life in Piccadilly’ competition and by forging links with NoChintz and the Box Project, it helps to strengthen something we already knew; that there is a vibrant creative community in Manchester and the Northwest.”

The Box can be bought from NoChintz and can be used for exhibition stands or temporary shops or gallery space. There is also the opportunity to buy prints of the winning photographs, should any of them catch your eye. The canvases are also available to buy - just venture down to the shop unit and see if any catch your eye.

So next time you are passing the shop window (just opposite Kro Piccadilly), have a look and see what you think…