Ways in which Manchester’s businesses are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis
Businesses across several verticals, like hospitality, entertainment, restaurants, sports and various others have gone remote in an attempt to flatten the curve as well as survive the challenging times.
The COVID-19 crisis sabotaged the global economy and brought the superpowers to their knees.
Businesses have been floundering and trying out different means to stay afloat in the midst of the crisis. While some have been able to survive and absorb the shock, many have not.
Now, with newer and mutated strains of the coronavirus at large, pressures on the economy are mounting. That being said, we shall now look into the scenario of Manchester’s businesses and see how they are adapting to the new normal.
Businesses across several verticals, like hospitality, entertainment, restaurants, sports and various others have gone remote in an attempt to flatten the curve as well as survive the challenging times.
The UK government had lifted the restrictions for a while, and this allowed people to enjoy themselves, and for businesses to make revenue. However, a mutated strain of the coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the country.
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Therefore, businesses will once again have to go through an ordeal and try to adjust to the new normal all over again. Therefore, without any further ado, let us delve right into the scenario of the businesses in Manchester.
Shut down of businesses in Manchester:
According to a recent survey report, about 18 per cent of the jobs in Greater Manchester have shut down for an indefinite period of time. And now, with the possibility of a second wave of the COVID-19 crisis, this figure is only assumed to go up.
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The CEO of The Growth Company said that most of the businesses in Manchester had to deal with the unavailability of more than 20% of their workforce during the lockdown. This resulted in massive losses and even led to the shutting down of several businesses.
However, amidst all the negativity and hopelessness, one thing that has come as a welcome relief is that the big businesses in Manchester have extended their support to the smaller companies. They have supported the businesses with helpful resources and sponsorship to help them stay afloat and make it through the hard times.
The shift towards the use of technology to make it through the crisis:
Most businesses, all around the world, have started resorting to cutting-edge technology to make it through the period of crisis. As mentioned earlier, more than 20% of Manchester’s workforce was not available during the lockdown. This put the businesses at a precarious condition. Therefore, the only saving grace at such times was technology.
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More and more businesses in Manchester have made a move towards Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to see their way through the pandemic. These innovations of technology make it possible to reduce the need for human labour and handle the work pressure better. Artificial Intelligence has seen magnanimous growth in all types of industries. From online casinos and safest poker sites accepting US players to the sector of hospitality and tourism, AI has made the tough times easier.
The Use of Social Media in the Hours of Crisis:
Local businesses in Manchester have resorted to the use of social media more than ever in these hours of crisis. Local and small-scale businesses do not have funds similar to the big businesses to absorb the shock. Therefore, their need for social media is more than the other bigger businesses. Studies have hinted that small-scale businesses in Manchester have made greater use of social media platforms to reach out to more clients and customers.
It has also been observed that communities that have robust local businesses are eco-friendlier, sustainable and economically wholesome. Therefore, it is important for them to thrive even during the pandemic. And Manchester’s small-scale and local businesses have used the weapon of social media to cross the hurdles.
Summing up…
It is true that the scene in Manchester looks worrisome – now more than ever – with the new strain of Coronavirus at large. However, businesses have changed their core values and reworked on their dynamics to stay put amidst the hullaballoo.
That said, while some have been able to see their ways through the crisis, some have not. However, the fight against this invisible and seemingly invincible force of nature is still on, and Manchester is doing a wonderful job at that. It is now only a wait of time to see how the second phase of lockdown, if levied upon, works out for the businesses in Manchester.
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MediaCityUK makes huge pledge to Salford Youth Zone
MediaCityUK has committed a sizeable new pledge to nearby Salford Youth Zone, becoming a key patron for the increasingly important community cornerstone.
Initial work on Salford Youth Zone (SYZ) only began back in 2023 but is already promising to become an important outlet for so many through the borough.
Set to open later this summer and now with backing from none other than the hugely influential entity that is MediaCityUK, SYZ’s inaugural year will hopefully get off to a wonderful start.
As its own city with the national media hub boasting a huge reputation of its own, its great to get more eyes on and profile behind the project.
Teaming up with Salford Council and Empower Youth Zone (EMPOWER) – the youth work charity behind the already established HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton and the soon-to-open SYZ – MediaCity has become the latest and one of their most generous patrons yet.
Pledging a huge donation of £100,000, MediaCity will be supporting the charity at large with an extensive volunteering and business support programme over the next four years at the very least.
As a Landsec Futures employability partner and influential hub for the creative industries in the UK, MediaCity are looking to work closely with SYZ and its partners to provide greater access in creative spaces and with local businesses.
Landsec (who have recently acquired full ownership of the MediaCity brand) are equally committed to creating places that deliver lasting positive impact for both communities and the environment.
As per an official announcement of the partnership, “It joins the growing EMPOWER patron community, funding vital services that enable young people to break down barriers, unlock potential, and build brighter futures.”
Salford Youth Zone – situated adjacent to Belvedere Road and Broadwalk in Pendleton – is set to open seven days a week, deliver more than 200 volunteering days each year, as well as offer completely free membership to support thousands of young people in the city and across Greater Manchester.
For those who have come across the exciting new ‘FRAMELESS’ exhibition over in Salford Quays, this comes not only in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery but SYZ itself in one of its first big activitations for 2025.
Here’s a whistle-stop tour of the £6.2 million youth centre and activities space.
Speaking in an official statement, MediaCity Managing Director Martin Chown said of the welcome new partnership: “Salford is an important part of our journey, and deepening our roots here reflects our commitment to enriching the communities we’re part of.
“Partnering with EMPOWER will help us continue to drive forward a thriving creative community while s upporting talented young people. MediaCity has become a cornerstone of Salford’s identity, helping the city attract leading businesses and driving investment into the city.
“It’s a bridge between Salford and the creative industries, and we want to ensure local people feel like a career in the creative industries is within their reach. EMPOWER’s arrival in Salford will make a material difference to young people and the wider community, so we’re proud to be supporting the team.”
Adam Farricker, CEO of Empower, went on to add: “Our partnership with Landsec is another powerful step towards our mission to support young people across Greater Manchester. MediaCity sits at the heart of the city, and we want our young people to feel connected to its energy and community spirit.
“Young people are full of potential but often need the right support to overcome the barriers they face and truly believe in themself. Together, with the MediaCity team and Landsec, we’re working to ensure every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to grow, succeed, and move towards a better future.”
With the recently unveiled ‘Content Studio’ to boot, it’s happening in Salford and another exciting event is also heading back to MediaCity this season.
Former Salford Red Devils CEO, Paul King, has flown in to help his former employers as the rugby league side hopes to rescue itself from the brink of complete collapse.
Paul King only left Salford Community Stadium and the Red Devils in February, being replaced by Chris Irwin, but since the latter resigned this month and promises of financial security still look far from coming good, the 54-year-old is back in the fold and trying his best to save the 152-year-old club.
Salford were the subject of a Swiss takeover earlier this year, which looked like it might beckon a whole new era for the long-established local team, but despite claims of clearing debts and righting the ship by businessman Dario Berta, it turns out that little has been done to fix the books since then.
In fact, as it turns out, Salford’s line of credit only appears to have been extended as the Devils are thought to be rather deep in the red (a rather cruel irony) with payday loans taken out to pay player wages and keep them afloat. With that in mind, King has come back to do what he can.
While the new consortium is yet to deliver key funds, King is taking the fall. (Credit: Salford Red Devils via Facebook screenshot)
As per multiple outlets, King has now returned to Salford in an ‘advisory role’, consulting on how best to navigate the persisting choppy water surrounding the club.
Although the club has so far refrained from making any kind of announcement of their own – the last being the confirmation of chief exec Irwin’s departure on 6 May – it’s understood that King has actually been continuing to help cover costs ever since he left.
The man himself has downplayed his impact thus far, stating that he’s simply “been pulled in from gardening leave to advise, that’s all”, insisting that “it’s all very short-term.”
However, despite no longer being actually a full-time member of staff at Salford Red Devils, he is said to have been paying player wages for the last three months and
Even more concerningly, though it will no doubt touch fans to hear, he is also believed to have put his own home up as collateral against what the club owes to lenders; it’s not even the first time he’s done this, either.
Former CEO Paul King is back at Salford Red Devils in an advisory role.
It's understood King paid the player wages for the past three months.
👹 The Devils are still waiting on significant funds from their new owners.
In a modern sporting era where owners, consortiums, nation states and so on are often criticised over their stewardship of clubs, this kind of generosity and hustle from a man who isn’t even technically employed by the business has to be applauded.
That being said, it’s no surprise that their struggles off the pitch have translated to performances as well, with Salford sitting at the bottom of the Betfred Super League table, having notched just one win this season. Some stability is needed, and soon.
Here’s hoping it all pays off – a community club that’s been around so long and means so much to the local area cannot be allowed to disintegrate.
Meanwhile, over in the EFL, neighbours Salford City FC have also seen their ownership change hands as they hope to avoid similar uncertainty in this next chapter. The sporting-obsessed city and its countless supporters have no intention of giving up on their teams.
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
