StreamGM and The Manc have a plan to show some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues.
Over the past 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve watched musicals from our cars, experienced Zoom parties, solo kitchen discos, and seated half-capacity gigs – but nothing beats the buzz of a live show, right?
Nightclubs were forced to close back in March 2020, and while theatres and live music venues in Greater Manchester have been able to open for short periods for performances, this has been under strict restrictions around capacity, movement, masks, and social distancing to keep people safe.
This week though, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the final stage of the roadmap will commence from 19 July, with rules on the wearing of face coverings, social distancing measures, and mass gathering all set to change.
SeeGM will shine a spotlight on events, club nights, gigs and shows in Greater Manchester / Credit: Flickr
To mark this long-awaited moment, on 15 July, The Manc and the region’s multi award-winning streaming platform StreamGM are launching SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in Greater Manchester.
Through promotional videos, digital content and interviews with some of Greater Manchester’s most respected operators and cultural figures, SeeGM will inspire residents to revisit their favourite haunts, buy tickets for future events, and safely experience more of the region’s vibrant culture and nightlife.
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SeeGM will encourage people to post happy memories of times spent at gigs, shows and events on their social media platforms, be kind and respectful to staff, other audience members and partygoers, and share their first experiences of heading ‘out-out’ after 19 July.
As the region’s premier digital media publishers with an audience of over 1.2 million and currently ranked 10th most engaged news publisher in the UK, The Manc is well placed to promote Greater Manchester’s venues alongside StreamGM.
SeeGM will inspire residents to revisit their favourite haunts, buy tickets for future events, and more / Credit: Stream GM
Many of Greater Manchester’s best club nights, live music destinations and performance venues were featured by StreamGM’s smash-hit lockdown-founded United We Stream project.
Speaking ahead of the launch of SeeGM, Marie-Claire Daly – co-founder of StreamGM – said: “We’re thrilled to be working with The Manc on this campaign highlighting the very best Greater Manchester has to offer.
“The StreamGM team came together in 2020 through a shared love of live music and performance – and we, as much as anyone, can’t wait to get back to enjoying proper live events.
“While streaming has undoubtedly opened up new audiences for Greater Manchester talent, locally and around the world, now is the time for us to support and buy tickets for the live performances in the venues we’ve all missed so much.”
StreamGM and The Manc plan to show some serious love to the region’s struggling culture venues / Credit: StreamGM | The Manc
“Don’t forget though that these places and events need audiences to attend safely so we can continue to minimise infection so they don’t have to close their doors,” she continued.
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“Be kind and respectful to staff and other audience members.”
“People across Greater Manchester have sacrificed so much over the past year or so and I know how much people are looking forward to getting back out properly and enjoying the likes of live music, theatre and our nightlife.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
Mr Burnham continued: “Our night-time economy has suffered significantly over this time, with businesses often unable to open at all and now we can all start doing our bit to support these important cultural venues.
“Buy tickets, make a booking, just tell a friend – it all makes a massive difference.
“Like many of you, I am excited to get back out and get back enjoying myself but, coronavirus is still out there, so please think of others and keep each other safe.”
“Greater Manchester is the city of 24-hour party people.” / Credit: pxhere
Anna Gledson – Brand Director at The Manc – added: “The Manc are made up to collaborate with StreamGM on such an important campaign.
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“SeeGM is a super fun project to amplify marketing and messaging for the many music venues, comedy clubs, nightclubs and all of our region’s other incredible and iconic cultural experiences with reopening.
“Greater Manchester is the city of 24-hour party people.
“These places need people to truly come alive, and we hope with everyone’s support, our region’s venues will be thriving again very soon.”
Featured Image – Pixabay
News
2024 Manchester Marathon raises £29 million for local economy and over £3.7m for charity
Danny Jones
Just under a fortnight on from the 2024 Manchester Marathon and the numbers are finally, with the annual race generating nearly £30 million for the local economy and raising over £3.7m for charity.
This year’s Adidas Manchester Marathon saw record numbers of runners and spectators as over 30,000 took part in the popular race, up by roughly 6,000 from 2023, and more than 125k turned up to line the streets of Greater Manchester.
As a result, these huge crowds spent upwards of £29.2 million at business around the city centre and around the 10 boroughs last weekend, serving as one of the most significant contributions to the local economy on the annual calendar.
Not only was this an approximately £8m increase on last year’s tally but, most importantly, a sizeable chunk of that went straight into both regional and national charities.
The 2024 adidas Manchester Marathon was a spectacular day for the city and its economy.
Beyond the boost to local vendors, the hospitality sector and retail businesses, over £3.7 million were allocated to charities such as Alzheimer’s Charity, Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation and The Christie.
Over £32,000 was also raised for the Trafford Active Fund, with £1 from every paid entry to the Adidas Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half donated directly to the initiative that benefits local sports clubs and organisations through Trafford Council.
Better still, with City of Trees selected as the chosen ‘Green Runner’ charity, the eco-friendly drive saw roughly 7% of participants opt out of receiving either a finisher t-shirt, medal or both.
The money saved in production goes towards maintaining woodlands and wildlife across Greater Manchester.
Together you have raised over £3.7 million for charitable causes, adding even more meaning to those 26.2 miles 💕 Well done and thank you to all those who fundraised and donated! 🌟Tag us in those charity top pictures from last weekend 😍😍#ManchesterMarathonpic.twitter.com/5gsi6NtFzB
This year’s Manchester Marathon also helped produce some of the highest number of passengers on public transport in the city’s history, with a over 175,000 journeys made on Metrolink alone – the highest number of journeys ever recorded on a single day.
This was a 20% increaseon 2023’s race day (145k), spotlighting how the event continues to be more environmentally conscious as years go by.
With the 2025 adidas Manchester Marathon confirmed to be taking place on Sunday, 27 April next year – and over 12,000 places already sold – the city can already look forward to reaping the economic and social benefits of hosting one of Europe’s largest, flattest, friendliest and most-loved marathons.
Featured Images — Adidas Manchester Marathon/The Manc Group
News
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
The Manc -
9th July 2021 
