CityConversation: Future of Retail in Manchester

As Manchester prepares to welcome its first Vogue Fashion's Night Out, CityCo, Manchester's city centre management company and the organisation behind the Heart of Manchester retail BID (Business Improvement District) host a panel discussion taking an in-depth look at the future of retail in Manchester on Wednesday 9 October.

Part of CityCo's popular CityConversation debate series, the free event will take place at St Ann's Church in St Ann's Square in Manchester city centre from 6pm to 8pm. The guest speakers will examine positive consumer trends, the impact of enterprise and imagination on our high street and why there's plenty to celebrate in the retail sector.

CityCo has gathered industry experts including:

• Mark Faithfull, a leading retail journalist and editor of Retail Property Analyst
• Beverley Churchill, marketing and communications director of Capital & Counties Properties (Capco), the company responsible for transforming Covent Garden into a premium fashion and leisure destination
• Jeanette Carter, from home shopping group N Brown, whose brands Simply Be and Jacamo have embraced the growing trend of multi-channel retail by opening a number of high street stores in the UK.
• Jane Sharrocks, general manager of Selfridges in Exchange Square and chairman of the Heart of Manchester BID

Vaughan Allen, chief executive of CityCo, Manchester's city centre management company, said: "Despite some of the media painting a rather negative picture over the past few years, the reality is the high street is actually thriving in cities like Manchester, so much so that even previously online brands are launching real retail units. We offer arguably the best city centre shopping destination outside London. This is an opportunity to discuss what we're doing right, look at what we can do even better, and examine how we can future proof this sector to ensure it continues to bring huge economic benefits to our city."

Jane Sharrocks added: "This CityConversation takes place on the eve of the largest retail event Manchester has ever seen. On Thursday 10 October Manchester will replace London as the UK host of Vogue Fashion's Night Out, an established global fixture on the fashion calendar. Manchester currently enjoys the highest tourist spend of any city in the UK outside of London and nationally consumer confidence is at its highest in two years. We are delighted to welcome our expert panel of speakers to the city as they share their experience and insight exclusively with us."

The free event is open to both CityCo members and non-members from the city centre business community to attend.

To reserve your place email events@cityco.com