About CityCo initiatives

Launched in 2009 CityCo’s City Centre Annual Review invites Manchester’s senior business community to join city leaders as we reflect on the previous 12 months, and look towards the year ahead

CityCo is working with businesses across the city to expand our free networking group The PA Network

CityCo, working with partner BDP, has launched Manchester Garden City. This is a joint initiative in support of a long-term strategy to make Manchester city centre greener

CityCo and the Piccadilly Partnership are proud to have supported The University of Salford, MediaCityUK and Metrolink to bring an ambitious interpretation of LS Lowry’s famous painting “Piccadilly Gardens” to Manchester City Centre.

CityCo is consulting with businesses about launching a Business Improvement District (BID) in the city centre, dedicated to retail. We see the BID as an opportunity to build on our successes, energy and optimism and make Manchester as successful as we know it can be.

CityCo is working with Northern Quarter businesses on a number of initiatives to develop and improve the area including outdoor art projects, cycle schemes and street festivals.

CityCo is working with Chinatown businesses on a number of projects to improve the area - including repainting the Chinese Pagoda.

As part of the ILOVEMCR campaign, CityCo worked with city centre businesses to rally together a host of great deals and special events. The Northern Quarter and King Street also celebrated with two street parties.

CityCo, working with Manchester City Council, has installed Manchester city centre's first urban orchard in St John's Gardens.

The picnic returned Fri 5 - Sun 7 August. Piccadilly Gardens was transformed into a foodie family oasis, with fine food in a Gourmet gastro garden

Open City aims to promote Manchester as an open and accessible photography destination, encouraging amateurs and professionals to take to the streets to capture the spirit of our city.

A giant polar bear has been carved out of ice in Piccadilly Gardens in city centre Manchester, to celebrate the launch of The Manchester Museum's new Living Worlds gallery.

Thousands of people headed to Manchester's Northern Quarter to mark the royal wedding with a 1940s-style street party, supported by CityCo.

Piccadilly Partnership is working to bring an official busking stage to Piccadilly Gardens as part of continuing efforts to develop the area as a vibrant event space.

CityCo has launched Manchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership (MBCRP) Online, a web-based tool designed to assist members in tackling security issues.

Our City Hosts scheme is part of CityCo's commitment to making Manchester city centre more accessible and family-friendly. The Hosts act as ambassadors for the city, giving visitors directions and advice.

CityCo is working with Manchester City Council and Red Rose Forest to introduce sixteen new cherry trees and one large tulip tree to Whitworth Street.

Manchester has joined 39 other UK towns and cities including Leeds and Sheffield in having an agreement to regulate on-street fundraising in the city centre.

CityCo has unveiled a new retail brand for the city - 'Manchester Heart of Fashion'. The campaign seeks to promote Manchester as the UK's top regional retail destination.

Following the success of Manchester Arndale's Child Safe Scheme, CityCo has rolled out a city-wide initiative to help city centre venues and parents keep children safe, and found quickly if lost.

Working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, transport and retail partners, CityCo co-ordinated the city's 2010 multi-media Christmas marketing campaign.

In support of CityCo's 2010 'Manchester's Magical Christmas' campaign, Piccadilly Gardens was transformed into a family fun fair, which looks set to become an annual festive event.

Piccadilly Partnership and CityCo have worked collaboratively with InTheCity to bring the internationally acclaimed music conference to the Piccadilly and Northern Quarter areas of Manchester.

To launch our 'Manchester Heart of Fashion' campaign, CityCo organised the Best of Manchester Fashion Awards 2010, recognising the city's strong, diverse retail industry.

In 2010 CityCo launched a new family event for summer - The Manchester Picnic. The event, which aims to celebrate Manchester city centre's green spaces, saw thousands of people enjoy three days of alfresco family fun.

CityCo, working alongside NCP, has resurrected the Northern Quarter light tower, part of the public art scheme which has been switched off for nearly 5 years.

Manchester's 2010 summer campaign developed our 'See What Manchester's Made Of' concept, promoting family-friendly activities across a range of media including outdoor, online and a printed events map.

CityCo has worked with Manchester City Council and member businesses to launch City Loos, a scheme that encourages retailers and venues to allow visitors to use their facilities, whether they're a customer or not.

CityCo has expanded a successful cleaning initiative across the city centre - Street Care Teams - following a successful 12 month trial conducted in partnership with Manchester City Council.

In support of 2009's 'See What Manchester's Made Of' Christmas campaign, Peter Saville, Manchester’s Creative Director and Co-founder of Factory Records designed limited edition Manchester gift wrap.

Manchester’s 2009 Christmas campaign - 'See What Manchester’s Made Of' - promoted the city centre's strong retail and leisure offer across a range of media including TV, radio, online and a special printed shopping map.