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Business Bulletin Update
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
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In this issue you will find
Voting in the local elections on 7 May 2026?
📷You need photo ID to vote in a polling station.Your ID can be out of date as long as the photo still looks like you. Find the full list of accepted ID here: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID
📍Not sure where your polling station is?
You can find it on your poll card. Don’t worry if you’ve lost it, you don’t need it to vote. Find your polling station here: wheredoivote.co.uk
Find out more about elections and voting: manchester.gov.uk/elections
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Update following Golders Green Attack
Following last weeks announcement that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) has raised the national terrorism threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’, we are sharing this update to provide reassurance and clarity for businesses operating across Manchester.
There is no direct threat to Manchester, the city centre, or local businesses. As a precaution, Greater Manchester Police have increased high‑visibility patrols in busy areas including retail, hospitality, transport hubs and the night-time economy.
Businesses are encouraged to maintain proportionate vigilance, following existing security procedures, remaining alert to suspicious behaviour or unattended items, and ensuring staff know how to report concerns (999 in an emergency, 101 for non‑urgent issues). These measures should be taken calmly and without disrupting normal operations.
Partners across the city continue to work closely together to support safety, reassurance and confidence, ensuring Manchester remains open, welcoming and safe for businesses, workers and visitors.
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Planetarium Go!
Planetarium Go! Manchester is an immersive pop-up planetarium offering a 360º dome experience that brings astronomy and science to life through stunning visuals and storytelling.
With short 20–30 minute films suitable for all ages, it’s an engaging, family‑friendly way to explore planets, galaxies and cosmic phenomena.
Ideal for space enthusiasts and curious minds alike, it offers a memorable and accessible journey through the universe.
Opening on Tuesday 28 April 2026 until Saturday 23 May 2026.
Opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10:00am – 7.00pm
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00am – 9.00pm
- Sunday: 10:00am – 7.00pm
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Great Manchester Run Sunday 31 May 2026.
The AJ Bell Great Manchester Run takes place on Sunday 31 May 2026, bringing large crowds into Manchester city centre as thousands of runners compete in the 10K and half marathon events.
The Great Manchester Run 10k and half marathon events start on Portland Street, near the junction with Oxford Street, and both races finish on Deansgate.
There will be a significant number of road closures and bus diversions in place on the day.
Full details of road closures, public transport changes and travel advice are available via Great Manchester Run 2026 | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM
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Travel Advice During Events
Events across the city means the transport network will be busier than usual. Plan your journey during these busy times.
Road closures during events Road closures | Road closures | Manchester City Council
Visit Events | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM for travel information.
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Transport
Metrolink Service Disruption Details
No tram services will be able to operate between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre on the following dates:
- Sunday 10 May 2026 (up until 11am)
- Saturday 16 May 2026 until the end of service on Friday 29 May 2026
Tram services to East Didsbury will start from Exchange Square, and tram services from the Trafford Centre will operate to Crumpsall via Market Street.
A Metrolink replacement bus service will be in operation. The latest confirmed information on Metrolink service disruption from scheduled engineering works on the TfGM website here Tram improvement works and disruptions | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM including information related to any Metrolink replacement bus services.
We apologise for any inconvenience while essential Metrolink works take place.
For more information: 0161 244 1444 or hello@beenetwork.com
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Doing Digital Together
Digital Strategy Launches 2026 Delivery Plan
Manchester’s Digital Strategy sets out a bold vision to grow the city’s digital ecosystem while ensuring the benefits of technology are shared by everyone across Manchester. Each year, the Strategy publishes a public‑facing Delivery Plan, outlining priorities for the year ahead and the practical actions that will help turn long‑term ambitions into reality.
Manchester City Council is excited to share the Digital Strategy’s 2026 Delivery Plan, which sets out the key projects the team will deliver this year and the outcomes they aim to achieve for residents, communities, businesses and organisations across the city.
Explore the Delivery Plan to find out how the Council is working to build a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable digital future for Manchester.
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Manchester’s Weekly Innovation Meetup
Venture Café Manchester’s Thursday Gatherings are where ideas, people and big energy from across the innovation scene come together every week. We’re spotlighting focus areas across advanced materials & manufacturing, digital & creative, net zero, and health innovation & life sciences, delivered in partnership with the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA).
Think hands-on workshops, creative sessions, and straight-talking panels with leading experts, plus plenty of time to meet people over drinks and pizza.
It’s all free, and it’s all about good conversations and new connections.
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Exchange Accelerator is open for applications!
Exchange Accelerator, based at Campfield, is accepting applications for their next intake.If you’re a tech, digital or creative founder they’d love to hear from you.Cohorts are six-months in duration and you’ll learn about product market fit, investment readiness as well as how to attract the right customers.Exchange has two programmes, so every stage of the founder journey is covered.
To apply for the September cohort, head on over to exchange-programme.com to learn more about the two programmes they offer and to apply.
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Work and Skills
REG Connects
REG Connects is a unique gathering for business and community leaders,
investors and ethnic minority business owners (EMBs).
📅 Thursday 2 July 2026
🕒9am - 3.30pm
📍Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester, M2 3WS
This one-day event is designed to spark fresh thinking and drive practical action on racial equity and inclusive growth. Speakers on the day include Tom Stannard (Manchester City Council), Professor Erinma Bell MBE, Ifem Onuora (Premier League),
Bringing together leaders from across sectors, REG Connects creates space to share ideas, build meaningful partnerships, and shape a more proactive, equitable, and commercially successful future for Manchester and beyond.
We are currently looking to identify a limited number of sponsors to partner with us. You’ll benefit from high‑impact brand visibility across event marketing to a database of 11,000, alongside thought‑leadership opportunities and valuable networking with senior decision‑makers. With packages starting from £1,000 offering excellent value and measurable ROI—details are available in the sponsorship pack or via rachel.tetlow@pro-manchester.co.uk
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Training Opportunities
- Free fully-funded training opportunities in Maths and English for those aged 19+ who are employed and based in Manchester GM Functional Skills- Employer info.pdf
- The Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is back. Over 3,000 businesses helped shape Phase 1. Led by GM Chamber and GMCA, LSIP continues to align training with real employer needs. Email gmlsip@gmchamber.co.uk to learn more.
- GM Skills Map is a free open-access, online, platform that connects all Greater Manchester businesses with training providers offering fully funded, part-funded, and commercial courses. Visit GM Skills Map to search 100's of training providers.
Read the latest bulletin from our Work and Skills Team Work and Skills Bulletin - 4 May 2026
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The King’s Awards
Applications are open!
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are among the
UK’s most prestigious business honours, recognising organisations that demonstrate excellence, impact and ambition on a national and global stage. Winning a
King’s Award can:
- Strengthen credibility with customers, investors and partners
- Unlock global recognition and long‑term commercial value
- Open doors to new markets, opportunities and collaborations
- Boost growth, exports and employee pride
Manchester City Centre is home to fifteen King’s Award‑winning businesses, recognised over the past five years for outstanding achievements in their sectors.
Their success reflects the ambition and capability of businesses in the city.
If your organisation is achieving outstanding results, whether through international growth, innovation, social impact or sustainability, now is the time to step forward.
Additional support, guidance, and insight from previous winners is available to
Manchester‑based organisations through GM Business Growth Hub’s support offer, helping businesses understand the Awards and put forward strong, competitive applications.
Find out more, hear from previous winners, and get tailored support to help your application stand out!
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Build the confidence to lead change, inspire people and drive growth
Registration is now open for GM Business Growth Hub’s Pure Leadership 2026 workshop series. Taking place in Manchester City Centre, the upcoming workshops will take place on 14 May, 04 June, 25 June, and 09 July 2026.
This fully funded programme is designed to help Greater Manchester leaders and professionals strengthen their leadership style, shape positive organisational culture, build high-performing teams and lead change with confidence.
Each half-day session explores one of four key pillars: Leading Self, Leading Organisation, Leading People, and Leading Change and Innovation. Participants can choose individual workshops to address specific development needs or attend the full series for a broader leadership development journey.
The workshops offer practical tools, models and techniques that leaders can apply directly to their own goals, teams and business challenges.
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Social Value Success: Turn Social Impact into Business Advantage
Social Value is becoming increasingly important for Greater Manchester businesses looking to win contracts, strengthen their reputation and show the difference they make. This May, GM Business Growth Hub is delivering two fully funded workshops designed to help local organisations turn good intentions into clear strategy, stronger evidence and more compelling bids.
The first workshop will explore how to embed Social Value into your wider business strategy, covering areas such as sustainability, policy development, measurement essentials and local best practice.
The second workshop will focus on demonstrating and evidencing your impact using recognised frameworks and approaches, including SROI, National TOMs, the Social Value Model and carbon reduction plans.
- Wednesday 13 May 2026 - Embedding Social Value – From Strategy to Tender Success
- Wednesday 27 May 2026 - Demonstrating Social Value – Evidence that Wins Contracts
If you want to strengthen your Social Value offer and stand out in competitive tenders, these workshops are a great place to start.
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Resources from the GM Business Growth Hub
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Zero Carbon and Climate Change
Building a Greener Future at 100 Barbirolli Square.
100 Barbirolli Square has shared how investment in sustainability improvements is delivering real benefits for occupiers, including lower carbon emissions, energy savings of up to 75% through LED lighting, and better indoor air quality to support healthier workplaces.
With biodiversity initiatives, smarter waste management and strong tenant engagement are creating a future ready workspace that supports business performance and Manchester’s Net Zero ambitions.
If this story inspires you and are interested in exploring what sustainability might look like for your business, Green Economy is here to support you.
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Green Economy Sustainability and Net Zero support
If you are looking to improve the environmental performance of your business, Green Economy is here to help.
We help businesses to accelerate decarbonisation with consultancy, training and analysis that delivers long term resilience, environmental credibility and financial savings.
Green Economy provides a range of services to help your business to help you to achieve financial objectives whilst reducing your carbon footprint. Many of our services are free or fully-funded.
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Practical training to cut costs, reduce risk and strengthen competitiveness for business leaders and managers.
Reducing carbon isn’t just an environmental goal — it’s a commercial advantage. This CPD accredited Level 3 course gives leaders and managers the tools to boost business resilience and reputation, while unlocking new market opportunities.
Who it’s for- business owners, directors, senior managers, facilities, operations and sustainability leads who want a clear, credible and commercially grounded approach to carbon reduction.
This programme is also suitable for public sector and non-profits looking to improve operational efficiency.
How it works - three interactive sessions led by experienced environmental consultants. You’ll learn through a mix of workshops, guided materials and one-to-one support, as well as a virtual assessment to complete your Level 3 qualification.
This is an in person course that takes place across 3 days
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Tuesday 19th May, 9.00am-5.00pm
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Tuesday 26th May, 9.00am-5.00pm
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Tuesday 2nd June, 9.00am-5.00pm
Depot Charging Scheme, Supporting the uptake of zero emission HGVs, vans, and coaches
The Government is supporting the road freight and coach sector to decarbonise fleets and journeys by accelerating the rollout of zero‑emission commercial vehicles. This includes kickstarting the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots and providing financial support where costs are not yet commercially viable.
The scheme supports the uptake of zero‑emission HGVs, vans and coaches by covering a proportion of the costs associated with installing charging infrastructure at fleet depots.
The first application will run from 25 March 2026 to 30 June 2026, or until funding is fully allocated. Successful applicants can receive up to 70% of chargepoint and civil engineering costs, capped at £1 million across all sites.
Resources from Green Economy
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Resources you might find useful
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