CottonmouthMCR is a place to discuss the issues affecting the Manchester city centre business community.

Through our podcasts, we take a positive outlook on our great city, reflecting on growth, change and innovation. We also provide some background material that will help businesses deal with some of the big issues facing them.

We look at some serious issues such as rough sleeping, security and transport. We talk about the history of the city centre (including in some surprising ways). And we interview major players in the city, from cultural to business to political leaders.

If there’s anything you’d like to see covered that could help your business, please contact us.

CottonmouthMCR is brought to you by CityCo, The City Centre Management Company.

The series is hosted by Vaughan Allen, Chief Exec of CityC0 & Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District.

The theme is an edit of ‘Hoodratz mix ‘93’ by Richard Jonas from freemusicarchive. It is used under an attribution, non commercial, sharealike licence.

Showing Podcasts

Cottonmouth MCR Episode 33: Andrew Brooks

Talking to Andrew Brooks, Manchester’s finest photographer of city landscapes about urban exploring, using technology in his work and how the city is evolving.

Episode 32: The Village

In this extra long episode of CottonmouthMCR we talk to Paul Martin of the LGBT Foundation, John from BarPop and Tony from OnBar about the history of the Village, what’s happening now and the likely future.

Episode 31: Afflecks and Hatch

We talk to Tony Martin, General Manager of Afflecks, about the history of the market, how people get involved and the range of sellers currently in situ. And then on to the new Hatch, the Afflecks offshoot on Oxford Road, and plans for the future.

Episode 30: Royal Exchange Theatre

In this episode of CottonmouthMCR we talk to the Royal Exchange’s Executive Director Mark Dobson and Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom about the history of the theatre, its radical past, its youth programmes, the wonderful building and its place in the city.

Episode 29: Clare Devaney, Founder, citizen-i

In this episode of CottonmouthMCR we chat to Clare Devaney, founder of citizen-i and ex-Research Fellow with the RSA about citizen engagement, inclusive growth, how communities can be involved in change and the ‘fourth way’ for economics.

Episode 11: Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett

Paul Dennett has been City Mayor of Salford for just over a year. Here he talks about what he does, the inspiration he finds in the people of Salford, his role in Andy Burnham’s cabinet, the issue of homelessness and the need for developers and companies investing in the city to give back. 

Episode 10: Barney Ibbotson and Stan Chow

Barney and Stan met in school, and have pursued parallel paths since then as illustrators and designers. They talk about being creative entrepreneurs, not being paid, negotiating fees, what the scene is like in Manchester, and the frustrations and pleasures of their careers. 

Episode 8: The history of St Ann’s Manchester

We talk to Roger Ward of Mr Tom’s Chophouse and Revd Nigel Ashworth of St Ann’s Church about the history of the area of St Ann’s Manchester, the interplay of church and pub, the development of the city, the first oil boom and the importance of memorials…

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