CityCo is The City Centre Management Company. We are the main membership organisation representing businesses in the city. We work with thousands of companies from small independent venues to major investors.
We manage Manchester City Centre BID (Business Improvement District) and are delivery partners for Manchester Accommodation BID.
We bring the private sector together with strategic agencies including Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Manchester City Council and Marketing Manchester.
By working together, we are all striving to make Manchester welcoming, thriving and strong.
Strategic Partner Forums & Lobbying
As constant corporate champions, CityCo has an influential role in lobbying on behalf of members, helping to keep business interests at the forefront of tactical and operational planning. We attend various meetings on behalf of businesses and run numerous working groups.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- Representation in multi-agency forums, advocating for business needs (including authority-led committees: Manchester City Council Integrated Neighbourhood Meeting, City Centre Ward Coordination Meeting, Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police forums)
- Representation at action groups including the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, Manchester Water Safety Partnership, Manchester Food Board, Manchester Hotelier’s Association
- Representation at CityCo-led senior meetings including the CityCo Board, Manchester City Centre BID Board and Accommodation BID Board
- Invitations to cross-sector BID Council meetings
- Invitations to CityCo-led ‘Local Area’ network meetings
- Invitations to CityCo-administrated Manchester Pub & Club Network events (500+ day and night-time economy venues).
CityCo assists members with the tactical challenges and opportunities of running a business in Manchester city centre. We pre-empt and provide support across issues that can affect successful operation. We identify needs and then help to problem solve, make recommendations, and bring decision-makers together to find solutions.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- 364 days a year, reactive and proactive operational and security business support
- Support with issues to do with commercial waste, graffiti removal, street cleaning, litter, drug litter, bins
- Support with issues to do with vermin, drains, flooding, noise and light pollution
- Support with issues to do with the public realm, skating, trespassing, urban exploring, anti-social behaviour
- Support around traffic management, road closures, protests
- Support around premise licensing, outdoor seating
- Support around challenges to do with people who beg or sleep rough
- Representation with public sector partners over plans for expansion or new development
- Invitations to urban resilience training and bespoke workshops
- Invitations to operational-specific meetings and location-based forums.
Business Crime Reduction Partnership
Manchester BCRP, run by CityCo, helps to create a safe environment for businesses, their employees, clients, and customers. The team report business-related crime in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council licensing and anti-social behaviour teams.
BCRP members benefit from:
- Secure access to an online portal that shares data and information on repeat offenders, named ‘Disc’ (GDPR compliant)
- Secure access to Store/NiteNet security radio networks, linked to the city’s CCTV control room
- Membership of Manchester’s Civil Exclusion Scheme (sector-specific)
- Supply of real-time security intelligence
- Notifications of city centre protests and emergency security alerts
- Invitations to monthly intelligence briefings on emerging issues, with guest speakers
- Invitations to city centre security briefings
- Invitations to expert training on crime prevention, anti-terrorism awareness, reducing loss from theft, combatting credit card fraud, how to deal with counterfeit currency, and conflict management
- Full training on Disc and data compliance.
CityCo runs a city centre cleaning programme in addition to Manchester City Council baseline activity. This is in support of City Centre BID and Accommodation BID levy payers to increase the frequency of street cleaning in the city centre. The aim is to improve the customer welcome and operator experience around Manchester’s main shopping area.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- Jet washing pavements, alleys, fire exits, entrances and the general streetscape
- Deep-cleaning areas that need it e.g. steam-cleaning seating areas, benches and bins; foam-cleaning connecting streets and alleyways; removing liquids and other detritus
- Removing graffiti and chewing-gum
- Litter-picking
- Delivering specific cleaning in response to city centre events.
For any enquiries, email operations@cityco.com
CityCo is the best-placed organisation to find out whatever it is you need to know about operating in Manchester city centre. Our virtual concierge service is there to answer questions, give advice and let you know what is happening. We provide information and briefings on city activities, whether planned or spontaneous, thanks to our trusted intelligence partnerships.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- Bespoke email alerts around Manchester city centre events, parades, markets, activations, sporting spectacles, conferences, major launches, and civic activities
- Notifications around impactful activity (roadworks, filming, construction, strike actions, crisis incidents such as fires, floods, terrorist threats)
- The most up-to-date verified protest intelligence (prior to and during protest events, terrorist incidents, civil unrest)
- Invitations to urban resilience and city safety initiatives (inc. ACT Awareness, Women’s Nighttime Safety Charter, WalkSafe app, Stop It! ASB campaign)
- Invitations to online intelligence briefings (inc. Monthly City Centre Performance Briefing with the latest stats and trends)
- Invitations to participate in public events produced by CityCo to benefit from positive PR and marketing coverage, inc. Halloween in the City, Manchester Flower Festival, MCR Student Social in partnership with Manchester Arndale, SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival.
CityCo has a unique position at the intersection of business sectors, public agencies, delivery partners and operational suppliers. This means we are always in the loop and know who to talk to. We can help businesses stay up-to-date with the latest tactical and training knowledge.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- ACT Awareness: (Action Counters Terrorism) awareness training in partnership with North West Counter Terrorism Unit, Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council Licensing
- Women’s Night-time Safety Charter: Welfare and vulnerability training in partnership with Manchester City Council
- Auditor Citizen Journalism: Information and training around ‘auditors’ and drone use in the city centre
- Urban Resilience: Bespoke ‘Tabletop’ training helping to prepare for common urban scenarios and city centre emergencies
- Homelessness Awareness: Training in partnership with Manchester Homelessness Partnership, Street Engagement Hub, Real Change Manchester and Manchester City Council
- Graffiti: Training to provide an insight into the emergence of graffiti, current Manchester perspective and case studies, best practice in removal and reporting
- Water Safety Awareness: Training in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, Royal Life Saving Society, Canal & River Trust, Manchester City Council
- Public Access Trauma Kits: Training in PacT Kit use with Steroplast Healthcare
- First Aid at Work: Training in partnership with First Aid for All.
Manchester City Centre BID and Accommodation BID run a team of tourist information and city welcome guides: City Hosts. The team are out and about 363 days a year around the central retail district, giving help to visitors and acting as a liaison point between the team, retailers and restaurants.
As part of the delivery service for the ABID, the team has expanded to work around Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria Stations and key routes into the city centre. The team assists businesses with operational requests, 363 days a year.
CityCo is committed to raising the profile and standing of Manchester as the leading business and visitor destination via our multiple networks. A key strand of our work is delivering high-profile public events in the city centre that attract footfall and positive press, and they offer plenty of promotional opportunities for members.
The calendar includes Chinese New Year, The Manchester Flower Festival, MCR Student Social, Halloween in the City, Beyond the Music and SCENE: Manchester LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival.
CityCo, City Centre BID and Accommodation BID members and levy payers benefit from:
- Invitations to participate in, partner, or sponsor events
- Benefit from multichannel PR and marketing activity
- Events so far have delivered £26 million+ AVE (advertising value equivalent) of media exposure, featuring across national news titles, TV, radio, online and social.
For any enquiries, email info@cityco.com
