CityCo Manchester: All Business Services

CityCo, The City Centre Management Company, is the not-for-profit membership organisation representing the business community in Manchester city centre. Through our various networks, we bring together over 1,500 companies.

We work across every sector and represent the needs of businesses with partners such as Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police, Marketing Manchester and many others.

We offer advice and help in planning new projects, link members, and make sure the city’s public agencies are aware of what the private sector needs to thrive.

CityCo members are in the best company. Our network includes Manchester’s leading names, from head offices to independents, property developers to professional services, and cultural attractions to bars and hotels.

Operational Support

CityCo assists members with the day-to-day challenges and opportunities of running a business in Manchester city centre.

We anticipate issues that can affect successful operation and provide support when they arise. We identify needs, then help to problem-solve, make recommendations and bring decision-makers together to find solutions.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Reactive and proactive operational and security support, 364 days a year
Training, briefings, workshops, and bespoke support on:
Commercial waste, bins, recycling and litter
Street cleaning and graffiti removal
Vermin, drains, flooding, noise and light pollution
Public realm, skating and trespassing
Anti-social behaviour, security and ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) Awareness
Traffic management, road closures and protests
Premises licensing and outdoor seating
Urban exploring, social media “auditors“, drones and filming
Safety and water safety awareness
Homelessness, rough sleeping and the street community
Representation to public sector partners on plans for expansion or new development
Invites to urban resilience training and bespoke workshops
Invites to operational meetings and location-based forums
Invites to join membership City Tours (neighbourhood familiarisation trips)
Invites to join the CityCo POPS Forum (Privately Owned Public Spaces).

Street Cleaning Programme

CityCo runs a city centre cleaning programme in partnership with Nordic. The aim is to improve the customer welcome and operator experience around Manchester city centre. The scheme is in addition to Manchester City Council statutory activity. Daily activities increase the frequency of general street cleansing, and the team works to improve the streetscape through various environmental projects.

MEMBERS 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
Delivering specific cleaning in response to city centre events
Painting street furniture
Removing stickers, detritus etc.

City Hosts

Manchester City Centre BID (Business Improvement District) and Manchester Accommodation BID run a dedicated team of tourist information and ”city welcome” guides: our City Hosts. The team is active 363 days a year across the central retail district and key routes in the city centre. The group offers friendly help and information to visitors from across the UK and world.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

A face-to-face liaison point between the CityCo team, City Centre BID, and Accommodation BID levy payers
Streetscape and operational monitoring to support improving the trading environment for businesses.

Business Crime Reduction

Manchester Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) helps to create a safe environment for businesses, their employees, clients, and customers. The team reports business-related crime in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council Licensing and anti-social behaviour teams.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Secure access to an online portal that shares data and information on repeat offenders (GDPR compliant)
Secure access to StoreNet/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
Invites to monthly intelligence briefings on emerging issues, with guest speakers
Invites to city centre security briefings
Invites to expert training on crime prevention, counter-terrorism awareness, reducing loss from theft, combatting credit card fraud, how to deal with counterfeit currency, and conflict management
Full training on data compliance.

Urban Resilience Training

CityCo has a unique position at the heart of the city centre, 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 you stay up to date with the latest tactical and training knowledge.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Invites to operational and security training, including resilience and preparedness awareness sessions, utilising Martyn’s Law principles and ACT Awareness (delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Council)
Invites to join the Manchester PAcT (Public Access Trauma Kit) scheme, in partnership with Steroplast Healthcare
Invites to Women’s Night-Time Safety Charter training, in partnership with Manchester City Council
Invites to Water Safety training, in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, Royal Life Saving Society, Canal & River Trust
Access to bespoke ‘tabletop’ training delivered by CityCo’s Operations Team, helping members prepare for common urban scenarios and city emergencies
Corporate discounts for third party operational training and supplies including First Aid for All and Steroplast.

City Forums & Lobbying

As constant corporate champions, CityCo has an influential role in lobbying on behalf of members with the city’s public agencies, 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.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Representation at local authority-led committees including the weekly Manchester City Council City Centre Partnership Meeting, Transport for Greater Manchester briefings and Police & Communities forums
Representation at action groups including the Manchester Homelessness Partnership, Manchester Water Safety Partnership, Manchester Food Board, Manchester Hotelier’s Association, Castlefield, St Ann’s Square and Medieval Quarter groups
Representation at CityCo-led senior meetings including the CityCo Board, City Centre BID Board, Northern Quarter BID Board, Accommodation BID Board and City Centre Accountability Board
Invites to CityCo-led ‘Local Area’ network meetings
Invites to CityCo-administrated Manchester Pub & Club Network events (700+ day and night-time economy venues) and area-specific licensed groups.

City Intel & Introductions

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.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Bespoke notice of activity in the city centre that could impact business operations, for example demonstrations, protests, civic events, local road closures and transport works
Emergency communications and crucial guidance in the case of a major city centre incident
Invites to input into business consultations around property developments, licensing applications, street and transport works, council, and transport matters
Access to third party data including footfall and sales reporting, property, and hotel development mapping
Invites to topic-specific meetings and location-based forums
Invites to CityCo’s monthly City Centre Performance Briefing, with the latest stats and trends.

Brand Awareness via Public Events

CityCo is committed to raising the profile and standing of Manchester as the leading business and visitor destination. A key strand of our work for Manchester City Centre BID and Accommodation BID is delivering high-profile events in the city centre that attract footfall and positive press, and they offer plenty of promotional opportunities for members.

The calendar includes The Super Duper Family Festival, The Manchester Flower Festival, Halloween in the City, SCENE: LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival and MCR Student Social – a shopping event in partnership with Manchester Arndale.

MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM:

Invites to participate in, partner, sponsor and publicise BID events – benefitting from multi-channel PR and marketing activity
Over 10 years, CityCo’s public events have delivered £28 million+ AVE (advertising value equivalent) of media exposure to benefit Manchester city centre, with features across national news, TV, radio, online and social media.

CityCo Membership

CityCo helps members to operate effectively in the city centre and have their opinions heard at the right tables. We offer a range of Business Support Services, and all members have a dedicated Account Manager.

CityCo membership can be tailored depending on business needs and priority areas. Email info@cityco.com

City Intelligence Network

Join our City Intel Network to stay informed of activities that could affect operations and forward planning. Our communications are proven to support members.

CityCo Manchester:
All Business Services