Manchester is hosting the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central from Sunday 1st – Wednesday 4th October. 11,500 people are due to attend.

The city is ‘business as usual’ with Metrolink and bus networks remaining open and city-wide disruption is expected to be minimal. Some roads will be affected however around the site, from 28th September – 6th October.

Planned protests will be managed by Greater Manchester Police. Security measures will be in place during the conference.

Businesses in the vicinity are advised to ‘Re-Route, Re-Arrange and Re-Mode’ when considering transport, deliveries and waste collection.

Traffic and Transport

City centre traffic and transport will be affected during the conference due to restrictions and diversions around Manchester Central, increased footfall, protests and potential strike action.

Key Points for Businesses:

• Temporary or unplanned road closures along protest routes and/or event site
• Parking bay suspensions in place around protest routes
• Re-Route: Cross-city travel should be avoided where feasible
• Re-Arrange: Commercial waste, deliveries and collections
• Re-Mode: Anticipate staff and guest travel delays (use public transport)

Road closures around Manchester Central

As a security measure Peter Street will be closed, except for access, between Portland Street & Deansgate from 28th September – 6th October. Increased local congestion and delays are highly likely, and it is recommended rerouting journeys to avoid this area where possible.

Deansgate Area Diversions

Recommended diversion routes for businesses travelling around Deansgate, Northbound:

Quay Street, Gartside Street, Bridge Street, Deansgate

Access to Jackson’s Row or Bootle Street is permitted from Deansgate, Southbound:

• Jackson’s Row will be one lane only: left turn only at junction with Southmill Street
• Bootle Street: reversal of the one-way between Southmill Street and Mount Street
• Southmill Street: Bootle Street to Lloyd Street, travel in that direction only
• Central Street: Mount Street to Southmill Street, right turn only at junction with Southmill Street
• Exit via Lloyd Street

Access to Deansgate-Castlefield Tram Stop: 1-4 October

During the conference there will be no access to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop from the side of Manchester Central.

Please use the steps/lift on Whitworth Street to access the stop during this time.

Deliveries/Waste Collection

Businesses around the Manchester Central site are advised to re-arrange deliveries and waste collections during the conference – access will be restricted. Please liaise with your waste provider or building management.

Protest Marches

There are a number of planned protest marches throughout the conference period.

Sunday 1st October: The People’s Assembly 

The protest will set off at All Saints Park at 12.30pm, then proceed along Oxford Road, turn left onto Chepstow Street, then Whitworth Street, Liverpool Road and will terminate at Castlefield Bowl at 2pm.

Impact to Tram Services

Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop will be closed for passengers from the start of service, until 7pm.

Trams will continue to run through Deansgate-Castlefield but will not stop. Customers should board and alight from St Peter’s Square during this time.

Due to the Deansgate-Castlefield closure, services on the Trafford Park line will terminate at Cornbrook. Please transfer there for onward journeys into the city centre and beyond.

Impact to Bus Services

A significant number of bus services will be on diversion and journeys may take longer than usual.

All travel information will be updated at tfgm.com

Other Protests

Smaller protests are also planned, closely controlled and managed by Greater Manchester Police.

Key Points for Businesses

• Temporary road closures along protest routes
• Higher footfall expected around St Peter’s Square, Deansgate, Piccadilly, St Mary’s Gate and Cathedral Gardens
• Parking bays suspensions along protest routes
• Re-Route: Cross-city travel should be avoided where feasible
• Re-Arrange: Commercial waste collections and deliveries
• Re-mode: Anticipate staff and guest travel delays (use public transport)

CityCo & Manchester City Centre BID Support for Member Businesses

CityCo is working in liaision with Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council and partners throughout the conference period. If impactful, members will receive notice of protests via the BCRP and Operations team.

CityCo and Manchester City Centre BID staff are available throughout the weekend to support businesses.

Email operations@cityco.com or call 07515 198919 in an emergency.

Follow Updates Online

For official police statements, follow @GMPolice on X/Twitter

For travel updates: follow @BeeNetwork on X/Twitter

Bookmark the TfGM Events page for updates on how the conference may affect public transport: tfgm.com/plan-a-journey/events

For general guidance if you are a CityCo/Manchester City Centre BID member: email operations@cityco.com