About CityCo initiatives
We’re working to make Manchester city centre a more dynamic, exciting and interesting place; to ensure continuing economic prosperity, and to continue to strengthen the brand and reputation of the city.
We seek to celebrate Manchester, to make it a more engaging and accessible place to visit and in which to do business.
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Dig the City 2013
This summer, Manchester becomes a garden city. From King Street to the Cathedral, via fine ...
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The Canal Festival
CityCo is working with partners to celebrate the best of canal culture and put Piccadilly ...
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The Manchester Picnic 2013
The Manchester Picnic returns Friday 2 – Sunday 4 August with a Summer Garden Party theme ...
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City Hosts
A team of eight City Host ambassadors have hit Manchester’s streets to launch the ...
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Manchester Garden City
Manchester Garden City is a partnership between CityCo and design practice BDP. It is a ...
In 2010 CityCo launched The Manchester Picnic (7 -8 August 2010). The event saw thousands of people descend on the city for three days of alfresco family fun.
Piccadilly Gardens became an oasis for over 10000 foodies, with the grassed area themed in a traditional picnic style with wooden tables, gingham cloths and speciality market stalls. The Sunday welcomed Manchester Arndale’s 'Build A Bear Workshop’ and Baby Ballet to entertain smaller children.
Themed satellite picnic spots included St John’s Gardens and the Roman Gardens in Castlefield. The Triangle shopping centre hosted a Great British Picnic, Harvey Nichols ran a Gourmet Picnic Garden, and Spinningfield’s hosted a special TwitPic.
The Manchester Picnic was promoted through our wider 'See What Manchester’s Made Of’ summer marketing and PR campaign, and specially-produced picnic maps were distributed to guide people to the designated sites.
The annual event seeks to encourage exploration of the city centre’s green spaces and attract a wider demographic to Piccadilly Gardens – in support of our ongoing aim to develop and promote the area as a welcoming, safe family space.
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