Families have ‘final say’ on future of St Ann’s shrine

THE huge collection of flowers and tributes in St Ann’s Square to those killed in last week’s terror attack will stay for as long as their families want, according to the council’s city centre chief.

Coun Pat Karney said he is happy for the sea of flowers to remain as a shrine to the 22 people who lost their lives at the Manchester Arena until their loved ones say otherwise.

The square has become a place of public memorial since the atrocity, which also left more than 100 injured.

People continue to lay flowers and leave balloons and written messages of support for the families of those killed.

Mourners have also gathered at the square to silently reflect on the tragedy.

More than a week on, town hall bosses say the future of the memorial will be decided in close consultation with the families of the men, women and children killed. Coun Karney said it was too early to discuss plans for a permanent memorial.

He said that would only be done with the consent of the families of those killed.

On Tuesday morning teddy bears laid by mourners were taken away to be dry cleaned after being left sodden in the rain.

Council bosses will ask the families what they would like to be done with them. They have vowed to keep the site for as long as possible and try to ensure it remains presentable. As well as teddy bears, there are candles, T-shirts and football scarves.

Traditional rivalries have been put to one side, with United, City and Liverpool scarves laid down, as well as tributes from people from Bradford, Nottingham and as far afield as San Francisco in the US. Coun Karney said: “We know people in Manchester are talking about this, but we have to be very careful that we don’t jump ahead. “The families are facing painful funerals and people are struggling for their health in hospital, so we have to be very careful. “The tributes will stay there as long as the families want. Any talk about memorials will always be with the consent of the families. We won’t do anything without their consent.” Coun Karney said he had been taken aback by the scale of the tributes. He added: “It’s just unbelievable. We haven’t seen anything like this in our lifetime. People are coming here at midnight, leaving flowers and reflecting.” Coun Pat Karney