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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Beyond The Music reveals first wave of lineup ahead of inaugural Salford edition
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
Having now dropped the initial wave of this year’s lineup, we know the first 22 artists set to play BTM ’26, including Kofi Stone, our very own Loose Articles, fellow Manchester-based singer-songwriter Ewan Sim and plenty more to get excited about.
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.” Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE.
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Printworks’ Vue cinema is the latest to get a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Cinephiles across Manchester are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
If you hadn’t already heard, over at the popularMediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats were installed across seven screensat the end of last year, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
And now,Printworks is getting in on the action as well, as a whopping 163 new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have now been installed at Vue Manchester Printworks too.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests, a personal table forsnacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler – which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time – and even backs and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Manchester Printworks / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and Vue Manchester Printworks is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
This means that anyone heading to thecinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Project Hail Mary, The Drama, Hoppers, Scream 7, How To Make a Killing, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We’ve invested in bringing Vue’s premium seating to our venues and can’t wait for customers to enjoy an even more comfortable cinema experience on their next visit,” commented Brodie Lyons, who is the Area Manager for the two Vue venues in Manchester.
“It’s truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film.”
Tickets for screenings at Vue Manchester Printworks and Vue Quayside Manchester start from £7.99, with upgrades to Ultra Lux available on selected tickets.
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
