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
• National Geographic champions Manchester as destination for travellers
• Small Business Saturday Tour comes to Manchester
• Latest research available at the Business & IP Centre, Central Library
• GM Foundational Economy Innovation Fund
• Website Feedback Group for Businesses
• Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
• TfGM new business portal
Events
• Manchester Science Festival
• Halloween in The City
• Business & IP Centre, Scale up Sessions
• Manchester Christmas Markets
Consultations and Surveys
• Chinatown Pagoda
• Anti-Social Behaviour policy
• Wythenshawe Town Centre
• Active Travel Strategy
• Northern Quarter Streets
Training
• Night-time Safety Charter: Welfare and Vulnerability Training
• Build A Business in GM Libraries
• OPEN SME - online course to help business leaders develop skills
• Safe Urban Driving Training - subsidised by TfGM
• Help to Grow: Digital UK
• Digital Boost training and mentoring
• EnterprisingYou Programme
• Skills for Growth Training Programme
Resources
• Business Support
• COVID-19 resources
• Brexit Guidance
News
National Geographic champions Manchester as a ‘Best of the World’ destination for travellers in 2023
National Geographic has announced that Manchester will be included in their highly anticipated list as one of the world’s best destinations to visit in 2023.
The influential ‘Best of the World’ list ranks Manchester as the only city in the UK to be awarded the prestigious accolade, which annually sets out 25 of the must-see places to visit around the globe.
The accolade recognises Manchester’s post-pandemic revival and comes ahead of a raft of significant cultural attractions due to open in the city in 2023, with editors and travel experts personally nominating the city “as a mecca for soccer fans and a growing arts and culture hub”.
Read more: National Geographic champions Manchester as a ‘Best of the World’ destination for travellers in 2023 (investinmanchester.com)
Small Business Saturday tour comes to Manchester
As part of the UK tour the Small Business Saturday team are visiting 23 locations across the UK and we are delighted that they'll be stopping in Manchester on Monday 7 November from 10-2pm, setting up in Ancoat's Cutting Room Square.
This special ten-year anniversary Tour will mark the official countdown to small business Saturday on 3 December 2022.
The aim is to be as sustainable as possible, given the vital role small businesses play in the race to net zero the tour team will bring a fleet of electric and zero emission vehicles on the day. For Manchester, we will also bring together our small business support group, who will be on hand to offer practical advice, information and support to small businesses.
Find out more at: www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
Latest research available at the Business & IP Centre, Central Library
Every month the BIPC receives hundreds of new market research reports and industry information, and it's all free to access.
From how to start an Artisan Bakery to Global Mega Trends in Health, you'll find the latest industry research.
Access over £5million worth of data, research and global market information.
Go to www.bipcgm.org for more information.
GM Foundational Economy Innovation Fund
Expressions of interest are now open for the GMCA’s new Foundational Economy Innovation Fund.
The fund will provide grants and support for businesses and organisations in Greater Manchester’s “foundational” or “everyday” economy to trial innovative new ideas and improved ways of working.
The “foundational economy” is the “everyday economy”, or the “essential economy” – the businesses we all rely on for our daily needs.
Lear more at: https://greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/innovationfund
Website Feedback Group for Businesses
At Manchester City Council we want to understand how we can improve our website so that it's easier and quicker for Manchester businesses to use.
We'd like to hear your views about what works well on manchester.gov.uk, what doesn’t work well and what you want to use the website for. You will be invited to attend feedback sessions (in-person and online) taking place in Manchester between October 2022 and April 2023. Other businesses will attend and our team will facilitate structured workshop discussions.
If you would like to be invited to take part in the feedback sessions complete the Manchester Website Feedback Group for Businesses sign up form by 16 December
Women’s Night-time Safety Charter
Steps have been put in place to improve the safety of women in Manchester’s night-time economy. Manchester City Council are encouraging all businesses and organisations who operate at night-time in Manchester to sign and pledge support to the Women’s Night-time Safety Charter.
The charter sets out how organisations can prioritise the safety of women – both employees and customers – in Manchester at night. Businesses who sign up will be asked to pledge their support.
Pledge your support at: Women's Night-time Safety Charter | Manchester City Council
TfGM launches new business portal
A new online business portal will support Greater Manchester firms in encouraging their workforce and customers to get on board with public transport and walking, cycling and wheeling to help shape the future of the region’s integrated Bee Network.
The interactive portal, launched by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), will act as a ‘one stop shop’ providing guidance for businesses looking to make affordable and sustainable travel choices and support the wider regional economy.
Read more at: New business portal to help Greater Manchester firms (tfgm.com)
Events
Manchester Science Festival
It's the final weekend of the Manchester Science Festival with a programme of world premieres, inspiring experiences and entertaining events, all aimed at exploring what makes us human and asking the question, 'What does the future hold for humanity?'
Read more at: Manchester Science Festival | Science and Industry Museum
Halloween in The City
Join the MCR Monsters for a weekend of shockingly good events across the city centre.
From a giant rooftop monster invasion and Monster Party Procession, to the brand-new family-friendly Monsters Rock! Music festival. Plus, a fancy dress competition, creepy carnival, arts and crafts and much more.
Find out more: Halloween in the City | Visit Manchester
Business & IP Centre, Scale Up Sessions
To celebrate the newly refurbished Band On The Wall, the BIPC are taking the latest Scale Up Session on the road! Join them at this iconic venue where the panel will be discussing the difficulties of post-pandemic live performance and the challenging climate for musicians and performers.
Chaired by John Robb, journalist, musician, and host of Louder Than Words music literature festival.
Panellists:
Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall.
Terry Tyldesley, musician and music tech consultant.
Simon Scott, co-founder of CIRKAY & Push Entertainment
Fiona McGarva, Sundae Communications and Lost Horizon
Book your free place at: Back to Live… Back to Reality? Scale Up Sessions #4
Tuesday 22 November, 18:15 at Band On The Wall
Manchester Christmas Markets
The countdown is officially on to the start of the festive season in the UK's capital of Christmas as Manchester gets ready for the opening of its world-famous Christmas Markets on Thursday 10 November.
With over 220 stalls across nine sites throughout the city centre, this year's Christmas Markets are set to bring some much-needed festive cheer to the city's streets and squares in the run-up to Christmas.
Learn more at: Christmas returns to Manchester | Manchester City Council
Consultations and Surveys
Chinatown Pagoda
First established over 100 years ago, Manchester’s Chinatown is the second largest in the UK and third biggest in Europe, home to an array of shops and restaurants located in the heart of the city centre. For many years the Pagoda and carpark have been a central hub for the Chinatown community, and we want to hear your ideas to help us shape the future of this historic area.
Anti-Social Behaviour policy & procedure
Our Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) policy shapes the way we deal with reports of anti-social behaviour. We want to update this policy and are seeking your views on the changes we would like to make.
Read more and have your say by 18 November at: Anti-Social Behaviour Policy and Procedure Survey | Manchester City Council
Wythenshawe Town Centre
We want your views on our proposals to transform Wythenshawe Town Centre.
We have recently completed the acquisition of the town centre and early plans for how the centre could be redeveloped have been drawn up ready for consultation.
A £20m Levelling Up bid was submitted to Government in August that would jumpstart the transformation and help realise the long-term vision for Wythenshawe Town Centre.
Have your say at: Consultation on regeneration proposals for Wythenshawe town centre | Manchester City Council
The consultation will end on Friday 25 November.
Active Travel Strategy
Manchester City Council want to make walking, wheeling, and cycling more accessible and easier for everyone throughout the city. The strategy covers the whole city, ensuring that residents and visitors can get to where they want to go and can feel confident whilst travelling.
We need your help to develop our understanding and to plan an active travel network that works for Manchester.
Northern Quarter Streets
We have recently made changes to some of the streets in the Northern Quarter and are keen to hear what people think of them.
We would like to know your thoughts on our aims to:
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Increase cycling and walking trips
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Encourage a modal shift from car to active modes
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Reduce motorised traffic along the route
Have your say: Northern Quarter streets survey (manchester.gov.uk)
The survey will be open until 10 March 2023 at 5pm.
Training
Night-time Safety Charter: Welfare and Vulnerability Training
Has your business pledged support for the Manchester Women’s Night-time Safety Charter? If so, join CityCo for a training session alongside other organisations who have pledged support.
The training aims to increase the skills, knowledge and confidence of those working in the night-time economy around identifying vulnerability and making appropriate interventions.
The training is open to staff at all levels. For information on joining this session please email operations@cityco.com
8 Nov 2022 - 1:00pm — 3:00pm
Build A Business in GM Libraries
If you've recently started a business, or thinking of self employment, Build A Business can help. Their series of local workshops are running across Greater Manchester now.
Learn how to research your market and develop your business plan, protect your intellectual property (IP) and gain practical knowledge on the nuts and bolts of running your business. Plus meet lots of other small businesses and grow your network.
Manchester workshops are running in November, learn more at: www.buildabusinessgm.org
OPEN SME, new online course to help business leaders develop skills
Four universities in Greater Manchester are collaborating to create a new, online-only programme for busy small business leaders looking to develop their skills.
OPEN SME features one-hour sessions across four modules, with topics including finding and keeping talent, cash flow, and pricing.
The free programme is a partnership between Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Bolton, University of Manchester, and University of Salford.
The course is fully funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Business Growth Hub. Find out more here: https://opensme.ac.uk
Safe Urban Driving Training - subsidised by TfGM
Do you employ HGV, LGV or PCV drivers? If so, you can equip your drivers with the training to share the road safely with vulnerable users. TfGM are working in partnership with Nationwide Cycling Academy who provide this course for £10.
This course is designed for professional HGV, LGV and Passenger Carrying Vehicles and offers the following accreditations:
• Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) approved
• Meets requirements for managing Work Related Road Risk (WRRR)
• Meets requirements for the Construction Logistics and Cyclists Safety (CLOCS)
• Counts towards a driver’s CPC
The Safe Urban Driving courses will run throughout the year, with bookings now available for Autumn and Winter 2022. For further information about the campaign please email: engagement@tfgm.com
Help to Grow: Digital - UK
Access 12-weeks of learning designed to fit alongside work commitments, to enhance your business’s resilience, recovery, and long-term growth, following the impact of COVID-19.
By the end of the programme, you'll have developed a business growth plan to help you lead your business to release its potential. You'll also have one-to-one sessions with a mentor, who'll provide you with personalised support to develop your business growth plan.
Find out more: Help to Grow: Digital - UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Digital Boost
Need a boost for your small business or charity?
Digital Boost is a FREE service to help you adopt new digital ways of working and grow your business. Over 2,000 expert digital and business volunteers from organisations including Google, Bloomberg, and Visa are on hand to help.
What support is available?
• Free one-to-one mentoring tailored to your needs, available when you need it
• Workshops covering topics such as SEO, Facebook Ads and payment systems.
• Recommendations for short courses
• A resource library that you can access at your own pace
Book your first session today at: Digital Boost
EnterprisingYou Programme
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).
Resources
GC Business Growth Hub business support tool
The GC Business Growth Hub have released a new Business Support and Funding Finder. Designed to help business owners navigate the landscape of publicly backed business support in Greater Manchester.
The Business Support & Funding Finder is free to use and available to all businesses and entrepreneurs. If you would like more information on any of the services highlighted please call: 0161 359 3050 or e-mail: bgh@growthco.uk
Support for Your Business | Business Support Finder
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:
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.
The UK government, in consultation with industry, has produced ‘COVID-19 secure’ guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.
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
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:
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A toolkit which gives advice on dealing with imports, exports and employees
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce can also give advice, including:
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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