Retail

Cityco work with and on behalf of retailers in Manchester city centre to help make the city a better destination for shoppers and a more profitable environment for retailers. We do this through strategic projects, operational support to retailers, improvements to the external environment and campaigns to promote the city centre to users and investors.

Cityco’s membership scheme offers the following benefits to retailers:

Benefits and services

Make your voice heard amongst key decision makers

  • Cityco act as advocates, lobbyists, influencers, negotiators and facilitators on retailers’ behalf
  • By joining the Cityco network you get the chance to influence agendas
  • Cityco enfranchise businesses by working on your behalf to drive up the standards of public service delivery

Benefit from better trading conditions in the city Cityco manage strategic initiatives to enhance the trading environment – one of Cityco’s aims is to help Manchester become the UK's leading retail centre outside London and a location of international renown. Cityco have commissioned a retail study to explore the opportunities for expanding the quality and scale of the retail sector in the city centre over the next 5 to 10 years and to demonstrate how this expansion can be achieved.

Expanding the retail environment Cityco undertake schemes to enhance trading conditions for retailers, for example leading the campaign to encourage retailers to extend their closing times to 8pm. This has had a positive impact, not only on trading figures, but also on the overall city centre experience, creating a more mixed economy into the early evening.

Improving customer retention with a more attractive city centre Cityco generate ideas to attract shoppers and fundraise and lobby to make them happen. The company manage the new Christmas lights scheme, now one of the largest festive lighting displays in the UK. Cityco achieved considerable success in securing additional sponsorship for the festive lighting with Argent, Bruntwood, Manchester China Town Business Association, Tung Sing, St Ann’s Traders, West Properties and Northern Quarter businesses contributing a near six-figure sum.

Network with other city centre businesses Cityco’s events give members access to high-level discussions relating to the strategic development of the city. The events offer extensive networking opportunities with other Cityco members, from sectors such as commercial property, professional services and utilities and hotels. For more details, please see our Events pages.

"Manchester city centre is thriving, but it is tremendous that Cityco still wants to achieve more! The aim that Manchester should be the premier retail destination of the north is becoming a reality. Cityco are ensuring that the retailers join forces not only with each other but with hoteliers and the leisure industry to make Manchester a force to be reckoned with. They also ensure that the city's public and private sectors work together.

“Harvey Nichols is delighted that Cityco is acting as the driving force behind late night trading for city centre retailers. Their contacts and ability to influence push through initiatives which will benefit us all."

Iain MacKenzie General Manager, Harvey Nichols

Fill out a membership enquiry form to find out more about Cityco membership or call us on 0161 838 3250.

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