Levenshulme means business

Levenshulme Means Business Week, 21-27 March, is set to draw attention to the wide range of independent shops available in the area while offering local entrepreneurs help to develop their businesses.

Friday 25 March will see Coronation Street 's Jimmi Harkishin, who plays Dev Alahan, handing out prizes to the winners of Levenshulme's Got Talent on Chapel Street at 12.00 before officially opening Levenshulme's first ever street market.

A range of specialist training is on offer for local traders in areas such as selling on the web, licensing and security. Two courses, designed by Mary Portas, retail expert and star of the BBC's Mary, Queen of Shops - My Shop My Future and Creating Desire, aim to help retailers improve their business acumen and increase profits.

Levenshulme Means Business Week will also see the launch of Tagpassiton, a loyalty scheme giving exclusive discounts and special offers to cardholders. The scheme will encourage people to shop locally at independent businesses.

The week is organised by Manchester City Council and the Levenshulme Traders Association as part of its drive to increase footfall in Levenshulme's shopping area after the publication last year of its district centre plan to support the shopping area and encourage trade.

Councillor Sameem Ali, Executive Member for Employment and Skills, said: "This is a real demonstration of the council working in partnership with local businesses to support and promote them, which is very important in these difficult financial times.

"Levenshulme Business Week will not only highlight the wide range of goods and services on offer in the area, it will also give people an added incentive for shoppers to visit Levenshulme and see for themselves."

Lawrence Hennigan, Levenshulme Traders Association, said: "We're all very much looking forward to the whole thing - getting the business community together and showing people what we have to offer here in Levenshulme."

Jimmi Harkishin, Dev Alahan from Coronation Street , said ""I cannot wait to meet the traders.The whole week sounds fantastic, I am looking forward to meeting everyone."

For more information visit: http://www.levenshulmetraders.co.uk/

or contact:

Lawrence Hennigan (Levenshulme Traders Association) on 07771782104, email: lawrencehennigan@gmail.com

Elaine Mills (Manchester City Council) on 0161 2771880 or email e.mills@manchester.gov.uk