Countdown to the Christmas Markets
Manchester's festive stalls are back this week - with a team of volunteers set to help out.
Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets return to the city this week and an army of staff and volunteers will be on-hand to help thousands of visitors find their way.
Manchester City Council working with Transport for Greater Manchester, Marketing Manchester and CityCo, will have a way-finding team made up of volunteers stationed across the city – from Metrolink stops through to the high street and the Christmas Markets.
Volunteers will help shoppers and visitors find their way around the city in what looks set to be one of the busiest Christmases in recent years.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas Spokesperson, said: “Clearly there is some disruption in the city centre at the moment, but that won’t stop us from celebrating the Christmas season in true Mancunian fashion. The Christmas Markets will be bigger than ever before and to make sure visitors make the most of their visit, our volunteer elves will be dotted across the city centre to make sure everyone’s visit to Manchester is the best Christmas present they receive this year.”
Jane Sharrocks, Heart of Manchester Business Improvement District Chair and General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square, said: "It’s great to see a coordinated effort by the city centre in welcoming and assisting the millions of people expected to visit Manchester in the run-up to Christmas. As retailers we pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service and the way-finding team will extend this beyond our stores and onto the city’s streets, helping people navigate their way effectively around the city centre and ensuring visitors to Manchester have the best possible experience."
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said: “There is no such thing as a quiet weekend in Manchester, but the festive period is clearly the busiest time of the year for the city. We’re working hard to make travel easier, but with a lot of activity taking place it’s important for visitors to plan their travel in advance – so they can concentrate on having a fantastic time when they’re here.”