Business Update Bulletin
A newsletter from Manchester City Council's City Centre Growth & Infrastructure Team, with support and advice for Manchester businesses.
If you have news or information you would like to be included in the newsletter, please send details to: city.centre@manchester.gov.uk
Contents
News
• Government confirms move to Plan B in England
• State of the City Report 2021
• Go with the flow - new strategy to revitalise Manchester's river valleys
• Government publishes final Events Research Programme report
• The North West of England’s Productivity Challenge: Exploring the Issues
• Future Manchester - report highlights positive impact of developments in the City
• Is your business ready for the launch of the Clean Air Zone?
• Bee Network Cycle Hire launch
• Piccadilly Design Competition
• Tell Streetlink about people sleeping rough
Events
• Digital Futures for SMEs - Business and Networking Event
Consultations and Surveys
• Vision for Manchester’s new Red Bank neighbourhood launched
• Pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square - consultation open
• Consultation: 7-9 Piccadilly
Training
• EnterprisingYou Programme - extended to 2023
• Skills for Growth Training Programme
• One Manchester – fully funded green employment opportunities
• New workshop to help SMEs explore low carbon opportunities
• The Good Employment Learning Lab
Resources
• Business Support
• COVID19 resources
• Brexit Guidance
News
Government confirms move to Plan B
The government has announced a move to ‘Plan B’ as set out in the Autumn and Winter Plan. The new plan includes:
- Mandatory facemasks in most indoor settings;
- Introducing NHS pass certification for large events;
- Those who can work from home should do so where practical.
Find out more at: COVID-19 Government restrictions | Manchester City Council
State of the City Report 2021
Today Manchester City Council publish the State of the City report. The overarching vision for Manchester to be in the top flight of world-class cities by 2025. Every year we show our collective progress towards these goals through the State of the City report, which is organised according to five key themes:
• A thriving and sustainable city
• A highly skilled city
• A progressive and equitable city
• A liveable and Zero carbon city
• A connected city
This year’s State of the City report represents the fifth analysis of our progress towards these visions and objectives, focusing on the progress the city has made since 2015 and outlining the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our city. We look at growth, digital inclusion, skills, health, housing, climate change, and more.
Read the full report at: State of the city 2021 | Manchester City Council
Go with the flow - new strategy to revitalise Manchester's river valleys
The Our Rivers, Our City strategy which covers a period up to 2030 aims to make Manchester’s three rivers – the Irk in the north of the city, the Medlock in the centre and the Mersey in the south – a vital part of its future, not simply part of its heritage. That means boosting their biodiversity and cleanliness, ensuring they are managed in a way which helps prevent and reduce flooding and contributes to the city’s wider zero carbon goals and recognising them as an asset which can play a vital role in the character of new neighbourhoods. The strategy, co-ordinated by Manchester City Council, is a culmination of 18 months of work which has included seeking the views of the public and other partners. 90% of those surveyed said they want Manchester’s rivers to be a real focus of the city.
Read more: new strategy to revitalise Manchester's rivers | Manchester City Council
Government publishes final Events Research Programme report
The Government has published its final Events Research Programme report. The report studied Covid transmission during 31 events across the UK. It found that the risk factors associated with Covid transmission at events are complex and contextual but that individual risk is increased with prolonged and repeated exposure to poor air quality, insufficient ventilation, reduced distancing between individuals or limited compliance with face covering.
Read the report at final Events Research Programme reports - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
North West of England’s Productivity Challenge: Exploring the Issues
The Productivity Institute has published a report looking at the productivity of the North West. Only Cheshire East has productivity higher than the UK, with Manchester (and Liverpool) not having the scale or necessary transport links to drive productivity across the region as London does for the South East. The report looks at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the North West and makes recommendations for improvements.
Read more at: Productivity Challenge: Exploring the Issues - The Productivity Institute
Future Manchester - new report highlights the positive impact of developments across the City
A new Council report highlighting how key developments in the city are benefitting the city’s residents and businesses shows the city’s future continues to look bright despite the pandemic. Future Manchester – an economy built on people, place and prosperity details how an array of developments are continuing to power Manchester’s growth and recovery from the pandemic and translating into positive impacts for the city.
It has been produced by the Council’s Growth and Development team and is intended as a snapshot of the range of the ongoing and future development in the city.
The full report can be read at Future Manchester. An economy built on people, place and prosperity | Manchester City Council
Is your business ready for the launch of the Clean Air Zone?
Greater Manchester is getting ready for the launch of the Clean Air Zone on 30 May 2022 and are encouraging early applications for #CleanAirGM financial support to replace or retrofit older, polluting heavy goods vehicle.
Use the new online checker to find out if you're eligible by visiting:
Clean Air Greater Manchester (cleanairgm.com)
Bee Network Cycle Hire launch
Transport for Greater Manchester, working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and Trafford Council, have launched Greater Manchester's first publicly operated, self-service, 24/7 cycle hire.
The scheme, which will roll out in stages, will see 1,500 Bee Network Bikes - including e-bikes, available to the public by summer 2022.
Read more at Bee Network Cycle Hire | TfGM Active Travel
Piccadilly Design Competition
Manchester City Council are holding an international competition for urban design and landscape teams to transform Piccadilly Gardens - a 10-acre site, with an estimated construction budget of around £25m.
The competition design brief has been shaped by views sought from Manchester, people and businesses in a conversation earlier this year which more than 1,700 took part in. The first phase of the competition to create a world class space in the area centred around Piccadilly Gardens has now officially launched.
The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 10 January 2022.
For more information please visit International Design competition for Piccadilly | Manchester City Council
Tell Streetlink about people who are sleeping rough
Streetlink are out on the streets seven days a week connecting people who are sleeping rough to the housing, food and health care they can get. As the colder weather approaches you can help by telling them about anybody they might have missed. You can call them on:
Office hours: 07930 867 663
Out of hours: 0161 234 5339
For more information visit Streetlink
Events
Digital Futures for SMEs - Business and Networking Event
Are digital skills preventing you from growing your business or holding you back from being as productive as you could be? This event will showcase:
• Greater Manchester's digital skills support available to you and your organisation.
• How to access support
• How to know what digital skills you need in your business to grow.
• Serco - Digital Workshop
The session will also give you the opportunity to meet with support networks and like minded businesses.
Held at Bruntwood Bloc, on Thursday 27 January 12 - 2pm. To register for your free place visit: Digital Futures for SMEs - Business and Networking | Eventbrite
Consultations and Surveys
Vision for Manchester’s new Red Bank neighbourhood launched
The Far East Consortium (FEC) has unveiled its vision for the sustainable regeneration of Manchester’s Red Bank neighbourhood, which will create 5,500 new homes within Victoria North.
It’s important to hear the views of as many local residents, businesses and other stakeholders as possible to ensure that development addresses the needs of those who will benefit from Red Bank. Phase 2 of the consultation is now live and will run until Friday 7 January alongside two in person events:
• Wednesday 8th December 2021 - 3pm to 7pm
GRUB, 50 Red Bank, M4 4HF.
• Thursday 9th December 2021 - 4pm to 7.30pm
Abbott Community Primary School, Livesey St, Collyhurst, M40 7PR.
Find out more at: RED BANK REGENERATION (redbank-regeneration.co.uk)
Pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square consultation opens
Plans for the full pedestrianisation of Stevenson Square, one of the most-loved public areas in the city centre, are being put before residents.
The Council is following up on its ambition to make the Square more open and accessible to people following previous consultations asking what people valued most about this area. A final consultation is now live which will explain what the final designs for the Square will be.
Residents and businesses owners can take part in the consultation, which is open until Tuesday December 21 by visiting the Council's consultation pages. Stevenson Square consultation | Manchester City Council
Consultation: 7- 9 Piccadilly
Plans have been unveiled for an office led transformation of 7-9 Piccadilly.
A planning application is anticipated to be submitted to the Council for consideration later this year and in the meantime, the developer is seeking your views on the emerging proposals for the site.
Read more and have your say at: 7-9 Piccadilly (7-9piccadillymanchester.co.uk)
Training
EnterprisingYou Programme - extended to 2023
EnterprisingYou provides self-employed people and gig economy workers with tailor-made support through dedicated business coaches, with help in areas such as personal finance, mentoring, marketing, recruitment and health and wellbeing.
The free programme which has supported more than 1,700 self-employed business owners across Greater Manchester since last March will continue until 2023.
Find out more at: Help for Self-Employed in Manchester | (enterprising-you.co.uk)
Skills for Growth Training Programme
Manchester Digital and the UK Skills Academy are pleased to announce a partnership to offer fully funded courses under the government's investment into Skills For Growth. The Courses available are:
• Leadership for Digital Growth
• Cyber Secure Training
• Project Management for Digital Transformation
For more information visit Skills for Growth (manchesterdigital.com).
One Manchester – fully funded green employment opportunities
One Manchester can offer funding to Manchester based Employer Hosts to create and test new Green Employment roles. The project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund.
The Green Employment and Skills Partnership (GESP) project will create a total of 125 supported green jobs in areas such as sustainability, retrofit, construction, environmental management, recycling & reuse, renewable energy, and electric vehicles.
To express an interest please email greenemployment@onemanchester.co.uk or for further details visit Green Employment and Skills | One Manchester
New fully funded workshop to help SMEs explore low carbon opportunities
What does ‘low carbon’ mean? Are there opportunities for growth by becoming a low carbon business? And how do you find out the carbon intensity of your business?
Join Manchester Metropolitan University in December for two days of interactive, face-to-face workshops. Exploring all things low carbon, you’ll assess the carbon intensity of your business, supply chain and products/services. And you’ll identify opportunities for low carbon innovation.
The ECO-I North West project is fully funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund for SMEs based in the North West.
To register your interest and arrange an informal chat about the project email at ecoinorthwest@mmu.ac.uk or apply via ECO-I North West · Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)
The Good Employment Learning Lab
Getting the most out of your team can be tricky so why not get involved in some short training with other line managers that can help?
The Good Employment Learning Lab offers a series of fully-funded training sessions to support line managers to develop their management skills and improve work quality and productivity within their organisation. These interactive sessions are delivered by HR experts with extensive organisational experience.
The programme consists of masterclasses, peer learning groups, and one to one coaching, all delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
For more information visit: The Good Employment Learning Lab · Manchester Metropolitan University (mmu.ac.uk)
Resources
Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses
The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) has launched a new Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses based in the North West. The new guide helps small businesses to improve their knowledge of cyber security and significantly reduce the chances of becoming victims of cybercrime.
In today’s increasingly digital-first world, small businesses face lots of risks operating online. Cybercrime can impact a business through lost time, financial losses or reputational damage. Without the correct precautions in place, cyberattacks on small businesses are wide-reaching.
Find out more at Cyber Security Guide for Small Businesses
Connecting BAME social entrepreneurs
The Greater Manchester BAME Social Enterprise Network will give BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) social entrepreneurs the opportunity to:
- Network with and learn from their peers.
- Learn from experts
- Develop their skills in key aspects of running a business
The network will meet regularly to hear from expert speakers, exchange skills, ideas, knowledge and experiences.
Other support available for businesses
Organisations in Manchester that support businesses:
The following Covid-19-specific help is also available for your business and employees:
-
Business support (GOV.UK)-The Coronavirus Business Support Hub brings together key information for businesses
- Make sure that your employees are aware that - if they're eligible - they can apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme, if they need to miss work to self-isolate
City centre vaccination site at the Town Hall extension
In town? Need a Covid jab?
Go to the city centre vaccination site at the Town Hall extension, St Peter’s Square. No appointment needed.
1st and 2nd doses and booster, Pfizer.
Opening times: Monday to Thursday, 3pm - 7pm
For more information visit: Manchester.gov.uk/getmyjab
COVID-19 Health Advice
For the latest guidance on how to help control the virus, how to check for symptoms and how to book a PCR test, visit the Manchester City Council website at: www.manchester.gov.uk/covid-19//healthadvice
COVID-19 Government restrictions
We are following the Government's plans to relax some COVID-19 restrictions but it's still important to follow the rules to keep your family and friends safe.
Making your workplace COVID secure
The UK government, in consultation with industry, has produced ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
COVID:Recovery – Start protecting your business
The health and safety of workers returning to their workplace is essential in the lifting of restrictions.
We want to ensure that residents, workers and visitors are safe and therefore we have set up two tiers of support for businesses.
- We are offering free advice and signposting for businesses as they begin their post lockdown journey. Measures to comply with health and safety duties on reopening workplaces need to be considered at an early stage in the process and we are here to offer advice where needed. We have a free risk assessment template and check list of control measureswhich can be used and adapted to your requirements.
- On site audits and assessments are also available for more detailed and sector specific enquiries. This service is offered at reduced rates as we help to ease the financial burdens businesses may have endured during lockdown. We are offering a 2 hour assessment for £100 plus VAT to any business starting to plan for a safe and legally compliant return to business.
To contact us please complete our Business compliance query form.
COVID-19 early outbreak management information
The COVID-19 Early Outbreak Management Information has been created to make sure people who run businesses or organisations know how to recognise an incident of COVID-19 and how to contain and report it, should an outbreak occur.
Please contact us if your business has had two or more cases in a 14 day period by emailing mft.central.coordinationcentre@nhs.net you can also contact us if you've had just one case and would like advice about outbreak management.
Brexit guidance
There are new rules for doing business with the EU. A Business Support Helpline can help you identify the actions you need to take - call 0800 998 1098.
The government has issued guidance on the following:
The government is hosting free webinars to help you check the new rules and understand the actions to take. View the webinars.
The Business Growth Hub has a dedicated website offering guidance, including:
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can also give advice, including:
Can you help?
Follow the Council on Twitter
Do you know about the Council's Twitter accounts?
Alongside the Council's main account (@mancitycouncil), we have a number of area-based accounts (such as @mcccitycentre) and team specific accounts (such as @mccworkskills).
Give them a follow!
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