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.
Business
Manchester Airport is hiring 1,500 new staff in preparation for a ‘busy summer’
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Airport is looking to recruit 1,500 new staff members across the security, customer services, car parks, hospitality, and other sectors.
It’s all in preparation for what the Airport expects to be another “busy summer”.
Having already more recruited more than 700 new staff last year, the UK’s third largest airport wants to give potential new staff a taste at what it’s like to work there by hosting its very-own careers fair at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday 7 February to showcase all the roles on offer within a wide range of sectors and companies inside the premises.
The Airport is preparing for a busy summer season as it enters its first full year free of COVID-related restrictions since 2019.
A total of 1,500 roles are on offer within sectors such as customer services, security, hospitality, and car parking.
More than 25 other firms with operations at the Airport will also be taking part in the jobs fair.
It's time to let your career take off at Manchester Airport! 🛫
Discover how your skills and expertise can turn into opportunities by attending our Jobs Fair.
📅 Tuesday 7 February 2023 ⏰ 10am-2pm 📍 Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Some of these companies include restaurants and retailers like Boots, Costa Coffee, JD Sport, World Duty Free, Wagamama, and Barburrito, as well as within airline and package holiday provider, Jet2.com, aviation service providers, including Seetec Plus, Menzies Aviation, ABM, Swissport, DNATA, ICTS UK LTD, and Excess Baggage, and several housekeeping service providers.
The Manchester Airport Academy will also be at the careers fair to give people an insight into its pre-employment support courses – which include fully-accredited training schemes for those on jobseekers allowances, who need additional assistance prior to applying for jobs.
Attendees at the jobs fair will get the chance to engage directly with employers, put any questions they may have to those who are recruiting, and boost their chances of getting a job at the Airport.
They’ll also get to learn more about what employers are looking for from applicants.
Manchester Airport is hiring 1,500 new staff in preparation for a ‘busy summer’ / Credit: Manchester Airport
Successful applicants will get to take advantage of a wide range of employee benefits on offer at Manchester Airport Group (MAG) – which include everything from discounts on public transport when commuting, and free on-site car parking whilst working and when going on holiday, to an excellent pension scheme, training programmes, retail discounts, and so much more.
Speaking ahead of the jobs fair next week, Chris Woodroofe – Managing Director at Manchester Airport – said: “This is always an exciting time of year for us, as we look to welcome new colleagues on board ahead of the busy summer season.
“There is a wide range of opportunities available and I look forward to meeting the successful job-seekers out-and-about at the airport, following on from this event.”
The Manchester Airport Careers Fair 2023 will take place from 10am-2pm at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce in the Chamber’s Elliot Suite on Deansgate in the heart of the city centre.
‘A step too far’: Manchester clothing brand accuses Primark of ripping off its designs
Georgina Pellant
A Manchester clothing brand has accused Primark of ripping off its designs, taking to social media to air its frustration after the high street shop released a copycat hoodie.
In a now-deleted Instagram video, local clothing retailer Hikerdelic compared a Primark ‘Explore Nature’ kid’s hoodie to one of its original designs and then highlighted how both the logos and overall aesthetic are nearly identical.
Hikerdelic’s logo features its brand name set into a grassy hill, below a pink and yellow sun with rays stretching outwards.
Primark’s design also features wording set into a grassy hill below a beaming sun, albeit this time the message reads ‘Explore Nature’ and the colour scheme is ever so slightly different using purple and coral instead of pink and yellow.
Hikerdelic’s original logo (left) and the Primark veresion (right). / Image: Hikerdelic
Hikerdelic was first founded by Proper Magazine’s Mark Smith and Neil Summers in Stockport five years ago, and the logo in question is of sentimental value – being the first that the team ever designed in partnership with artist Daren Newman.
Taking to Instagram to vent over the similarities, the caption underneath the Ancoats-based brand’s video read: “We’ve been sitting on this for a while. From time to time we find stuff out there similar to ours, but usually it’s just a case of people being influenced by similar things. It’s hard to be 100% original.
“This though, from a corporate behemoth we’re all familiar with, is a step too far, in our opinion. We’d be tempted to turn the other cheek and get on with doing our thing normally.
“Sometimes though, when someone kicks sand in your face you’ve got to let them know it’s not really on. At the end of the day it’s a business that makes hundreds of millions a year in clear profit. They don’t need to step on toes.”
The post continued: “This was the first logo we worked with @daren_newman on, and although we’ve got plenty more in our armoury, it’s the one that we began with. It’s not just us who are affected but talented independent illustrators too.”
“We all know everything new is inspired by something that has gone before and it can be difficult to stay original, however it’s clear to see this is something different to that and the response on our Instagram has backed that up.”
The Manc -
28th December 2020 
