Everyone at CityCo extends their condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Councillor Pat Karney.

Pat was a fixture on the CityCo Board from its inception in the late 1990s and spent decades as Vice-Chair. Officially he was there as ‘City Centre Spokesman’, and crucially he was one of the great (and early) defenders of Manchester’s partnership between the private and public sectors.

He was ‘Mr Christmas’, the man who would wear any garish jumper in a photo-shoot to promote an event in the city, but he was much more than that.

He was fierce and uncompromising in his love for the city and the city centre – plain-speaking in his irritation, and sometimes anger, at anything that might hold back its growth.

At heart, he knew that a growing city centre would do more to benefit his constituents in Harpurhey than anything else.

He was proud to be one of the original city centre residents (one of the 500-odd living there in the late 1990s) and was extremely knowledgeable about how the city had changed and the developments still to come.

The thriving city centre we have today, full of events, activity and fun, is a fitting tribute to him.

Pat Karney, 1948–2026. RIP

A Few Words from the CityCo Board

David Allinson, Centre Director, Manchester Arndale and Chair of CityCo
“Pat’s insight, commitment, and humour will be greatly missed. His passion and enthusiasm for Manchester and the city centre was at the core of everything he achieved. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Jane Sharrocks, Store Director, Selfridges and Chair of Manchester City Centre BID
“Pat was one of those people who genuinely cared about Manchester and always worked hard for the communities he served. He will be remembered not only for what he did for the city, but also for the great warmth, pride, and passion he brought with it.”

Paul Jonson, Senior Partner, Pannone Corporate LLP
“I was really sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Pat worked very hard for his community and wore his heart on both sleeves.”