Manchester is open for business as usual

Following the major disturbances in Manchester city centre on Tuesday, residents and businesses are standing up to the thugs to send out the clear message that our city is open for business.

The Council has been overwhelmed by offers of support from ordinary Mancunians to help clean up the city centre after the disorder and councillors will be joining residents and street cleaning crews to finish the job later this on Wednesday.                                           
                                                                           
Councillor Pat Karney, city centre spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "People in Manchester are very angry about what has happened in our city centre and it is time for us to stand together and say we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.                           
                                                                           
"We have a very clear message for the criminal thugs who tried to destroy our city centre. You will not beat us. You will not win. Manchester is open for business as usual.                                               
                                                                           
"Our street cleaning crews have been out all night clearing the mess that has been left behind. That work continues today, with the people of Manchester joining us to help out. We've been overwhelmed by the offers of support we have had to get the city back on its feet, but we're not surprised. They are demonstrating the true Manchester spirit that this city is renowned the world over for and I look forward to them taking to the streets with us.                                                       

"Anyone who is a real Mancunian, who believes in this city and what it stands for, will be repulsed by what these criminal hooligans did in our city centre on Tuesday. We would call on anyone with information to contact the police and get these thugs locked up.                         
                                                                           
"The police have faced levels of criminal activity which are unprecedented and need all of us to support them to ensure that justice is done.         
                                                                           
"We are also asking for the Government to act to support the businesses in the cities which have been affected. They need urgent help, particularly in these difficult economic times, to ensure they will not be broken by these criminal hoodlums."                                                 
                                                                           
The public clean-up begins at 9am at Piccadilly Gardens. Everyone is welcome to join us.