Celebrate british tourism week
The Dean of Manchester from Manchester Cathedral, the customer experience manager from Manchester Arndale and a number of blue and green badge Manchester tour guides gathered together today to show a unified group of city-centre places of interest.
Manchester can boast of a wealth of notable highlights including the UK’s largest inner-city shopping centre – Manchester Arndale - with over 240 retailers situated at the heart of the city. It welcomed a record number of visitors last year, with over 38 million passing through its doors.
Just a stone’s throw away is Manchester Cathedral whose history dates back to Saxon times; an ‘Angel Stone’, possibly from eighth century is the oldest object in the building. Must sees also include the carved cartoon-like wooden seats in the Quire, fifteenth century angels in the roof playing medieval instruments such as bagpipes, beautiful modern stained glass windows and a golden Lancashire Madonna. A visitor centre is also situated across the way, which houses conference facilities, a shop and café.
Jayne Turner, customer experience manager at Manchester Arndale, commented: “Manchester is such a wonderful place with so much to offer. It has been called England’s unofficial second city and often has been quoted as having the ‘cooler edge’ then its rivals! From a retail perspective, it is ranked within the top four cities in the UK and is a shoppers’ paradise. We know that 88% of all visitors to Manchester will come to Manchester Arndale which makes us feel very proud.”
A special free costumed walk to highlight British Tourism Week is being conducted by the Manchester tour guides on Saturday 19th March. Starting at Manchester Visitor Information Centre in Piccadilly Plaza, Portland Street at 1pm. Dressed as various characters from Manchester's history such as Christabel Pankhurst, Friedrich Engels, Annie Horniman, Mrs Rylands, Ford Maddox Brown and George Best, the guides will be showcasing Manchester’s rich heritage and celebrating why it is such a popular city with visitors.
Emma Fox, a green badge Manchester tour guide said: “Manchester has something for everyone, whether it’s sport, shopping, shows, galleries, museums, festivals, food, live music or clubs. We’re the original modern city and a friendly metropolis all year round. We are also trying to raise money for the Lord Mayor’s charity so it would be great if people going on the tour would donate at least £1 to the cause. All are welcome to come along.”
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