PRESS RELEASE
8 May 2021
Manchester’s first public event of the year, The Manchester Flower Show, helped to attract more than 150,000 additional visitors into the city centre during its sunny nine-day run, which finished last Sunday.
The floral takeover of the city centre was organised by Manchester Business Improvement District (Manchester BID) and CityCo, to beautify the streets and welcome people safely back into the city centre.
The outdoor-focused festival was an opportunity for workers and visitors to rediscover the city’s many reopened shops, restaurants, cafes and cultural venues – with a smile.
Dozens of public spaces, buildings, windows, doorways, statues and fountains came alive with colourful urban blooms.
Businesses across the city took part, helping the Manchester’s central retail district achieve the same level of bank holiday footfall as the equivalent weekend in May 2019, and an increase of 23% compared to the week prior to the event.
Billed as Manchester’s most Instagrammable event, the urban-take on a flower show saw visitors enjoy themed displays, including tributes to NHS and keyworkers.
Highlights included FROG Flowers’ ‘Garden of Statues’ in St Ann’s Square and ‘Call of the Wild’ – a telephone box brimming with fuchsia pink flowers on King Street.
Many locations came into bloom for the celebration including Manchester Arndale, Selfridges, The Corn Exchange, Great Northern Warehouse, First Street, Manchester Cathedral, Angel Meadows, Stevenson Square, Cutting Room Square, The Village, Circle Square, Deansgate Square, Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Ducie Street Warehouse and The Stock Exchange, Dakota, Qbic, Hilton, King Street Townhouse and Hyatt hotels.
Jane Sharrocks, Chair of Manchester BID and General Manager at Selfridges Exchange Square said: “As the city’s first major reopening event this year, we’re thrilled with how many people enjoyed the colourful sights of The Manchester Flower Show. We worked hard to develop an event that everyone could take part in, and that was Covid-safe.
The increase in footfall, particularly over the bank holiday weekend, provided a real boost to city retailers and the hospitality industry.
The event demonstrates the success of a collaborative approach by BID retailers, CityCo business members, event and promotional partners, and Manchester’s volunteer community. We’re looking forward to the next show already.”
