City centre bosses say Manchester centre is ‘back on track’ – thanks to a post-riot fightback campaign, and Jenson Button.
Bank holiday visitor numbers were up 21 per cent on the same period last year – helped by thousands of people attracted by the Formula One star’s Monday event.
And the drive to bring shoppers back continues tomorrow with a special celebration on King Street as part of the I Love MCR campaign.
Video: Jenson Button does 105mph on Deansgate as F1 drive thrills crowds in Manchester
Heart-shaped red balloons will line the way for Destination King Street, with almost 30 stores offering discounts, deals, free drinks and treats for customers from 10am to 7pm.
On-street car parking will be free after 4pm, and NCP car parks at Chester Street, Printworks, and Salford Exchange will be free from 4pm-8pm.
The momentum will be kept up with a two-day street festival in the Northern Quarter at the weekend.
More than 18,000 people have already backed the I Love MCR campaign on Facebook.
Vaughan Allen, chief executive of CityCo, Manchester’s city centre management company said: "Footfall figures over the weekend tell us that Manchester is back on track.
"The Jenson Button event on Monday was a huge success and brought thousands of people into the city centre. I’d like to thank everyone for their support, not least the M.E.N.
"We now can move onto the MCR Loves U part of the campaign and the King Street and Northern Quarter events planned for later this week."
Planet, Jaeger, Nigel Hall Menswear and Hobbs are all offering 20 per cent discount tomorrow.
TM Lewin, Cath Kidston and Tommy Hilfiger are all offering free gifts for customers spending who spend over a certain amount. and Diesel – which was left devastated by rioters – is offering a free denim bag with every pair of jeans. Many stores will also be previewing their autumn/ winter collections for the first time.
Mr Allen added: "King Street is a much-loved city centre retail quarter which has enjoyed a tremendous revival over the past 12 months."
Coun Pat Karney, Manchester council’s city centre spokesman, said: "It’s fantastic that another group of businesses have got together to show their support for the I Love MCR campaign.
"King Street is one of Manchester’s most important shopping areas and it’s great to see it thriving. Manchester’s retailers are recovering well from the disorder and it’s now time to celebrate this and thank customers for coming back."
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My prediction of the council bragging about numbers being up came true. Of course 21% more people were in the city centre bank holiday weekend. It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that the Pride Big Weekend brings tens of thousands more people into the city for the parade and festivities EVERY year would it?
Karnage and his clan are as usual trying to claim credit for something that has nothing to do with their false platitudes.
Last weekend it was the last bank holiday of the year before Christmas, the annual Pride festival was in full swing and the hottest thing on four wheels came to town. There was obviously an increase in the amount of visitors to the city. Be interesting to see what this weekend brings. Like Master of Nothing says, Pride always brings thousands into the city - why not have a comparison of visitors year-on-year rather than compared to last weekend? Just a thought.
They must SURELY mean last year not last weekend.
Isn't this what most Premiership players do along Deansgate these days?
A great weekend of events in the city centre with Manchester Pride, the formula one event and the 'I love Manchester' fightback campaign all bringing extra visitors to the city centre over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Best of luck to the Northern Quarter Street party.
despite the rain there was a huge turn out, everyone seemed to love it - although the wait between cars was somewhat annoying for many. Well done MCC for bringing this event to Manchester. The last similar one was in the car park of the trafford centre some years ago, this was much better and attracted people to the city from across the region.
Closed roads for ever more festivals, marches, demonstrations of racing car driving etc make it increasingly less likely that I'll ever do any shopping in the city centre.
Other things which put me off are high prices, poor choice of products and having to wade through hordes of leisure shoppers who seem to drift around without any real idea of what they want or why.
Give me internet shopping any day.
Is it a slow news month or something? Button mentioned twice, Something about I love Manchester every day, where MPs went on Holiday.
Can I suggest if visitor numbers were up 21% compared to last year, that Manchester is indeed back to normal?
one bank holday aint gonna repair the damage that this country is in!!!!
This - Pride - I Heart Mcr - and they still only put 2 carriages on the Altrincham line going into town - gave it up and got the bus.
droylsden lad now living in scotland and wud like 2 say was shopping in town on bank holiday monday with my scottish partner and she cud not believe how many traffic wardens were pounding the streets .. been reading for weeks after the riots how free parking and willingness 2 get folk back into the centre .. wud of thought free parking on a bank holiday wud of been good day 4 it but not 2 be .. love the manchester spirit and always will but do not promote stuff and do naff all about it manchester city council .. traffic wardens are way forward 2 line the council coffers and no amount of riots will change that .. we aint naive
Congestion CCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGEEEEEEEE!!!!
those crash barriers really do look puney, one skid and Mr Buton will be in the crowd for sure.
I think it's outrageous that just because he's famous he gets away with driving at 105mph down Deansgate! DISGUSTING!!! :oP