Downtown in Business Manchester was joined by the new leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, and Chief Executive, Joanne Roney OBE, at an exclusive business forum, sponsored by Morgan Sindall and hosted at Bloc on Monday 11th April 2022.
In an open and honest discussion with DIB boss, Frank McKenna Bev and Joanne shared their thoughts and knowledge on the key objectives for Manchester in the upcoming years.
Among the topics that were discussed by the leaders were, the stalling of The Northern Powerhouse policy, how investment in Manchester will benefit the UK as a whole and keeping the growing pace of business growth across the city.
The relationship between businesses and the council was also examined with both women highlighting how business are encouraged to work closer with the council on a number of issues. The digital skills agenda was one area that was highlighted as needing better collaboration as the number of digital skills opportunities across the city is vast.
The discussion also touched on the Clean Air Zone agenda, with Joanne commenting that ‘the clean air zone is something that will happen, but the best way to implement it is being explored’. It was also pointed out that poorer areas in the city suffer most due to unclean air and it is important that these residents’ lives are improved with the introduction of a Clean Air Zone.
Joanne and Bev, were both confident that a Clean Air Zone could be implemented in a way that wouldn’t affect businesses.
The event rounded off with the good news that footfall in Manchester city centre is up 162% compared to last year. Both women were delighted with the success of the city’s bounce back from the pandemic. Bev highlighted how people habits have changed with a work/life balance, with many people now working from home and coming into the city centre to visits bars and restaurants after working hours, something that was not happening pre-pandemic.
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