Piccadillymanchester.com recently asked visitors of the website to pick their Piccadilly Champion.

Whether it be a celebrity who signifies Piccadilly or somebody who personally contributes to the community, so long as the reasoning was valid you were in with a chance to win!

There is no doubt Piccadilly is full of ‘champions’; people who go that extra mile to make the area thrive. Piccadillymanchester.com thought it was about time that some of these people were recognised.

Suggestions came thick and fast and made the judges laugh, disagree and definitely debate!

Some of the suggestions included;

“Dracula - in Bram Stoker's novel Count Dracula owns a house at Piccadilly.” JF - not the one in Manchester though!

“The African drummer outside the supermarket, whose beat puts a spring in my step!” MB

“My son Colin partying most weekends in Piccadilly” PM

“Johnny Depp because he's bohemian, stylish and has that je ne sai quois just like Piccadilly!” CPB

“The good old M.E.N guy who stands on the corner of Piccadilly Gardens handing out the free newspapers; he is there in all weathers and deserves a medal for his patience” LR

The MEN vendors got a number of nominations – keep up the good work guys!

"The Farmers Markets; as they make Piccadilly come alive!” AP

The winner

In the face of stiff competition, it was decided that Michael Caines, chef who puts his name to the Michael Caines restaurant at Abode Manchester, was the overall winner.

The winning entry, from Mr Michael Coupar, said;

“Piccadilly in the Eighties had lots of promise, but something was missing. Now Michael Caines is ready to shine his (Michelin) Stars on the area, has delivered taste, and made it a place you want to tuck into. I am looking forward to more like him dishing up Piccadilly treats for years to come.”

And we couldn't agree more!

If you want to enjoy a meal at the Michael Caines restaurant in Abode Manchester, visit www.abodehotels.co.uk/manchester/mc-dining to view the menu and book a table.