Chris Whittle, area director for Greater Manchester at Lloyds On the Oasis Phenomena heading to Manchester
Five nights. One iconic venue. Around 400,000 fans ready to descend on Manchester.
The legendary Britpop band Oasis is set to rock Heaton Park on July 11th, 12th, 16th, 19th and 20th and each date could be the biggest individual payday many of Manchester’s businesses have seen in years.
Starting this weekend, each of these homecoming shows is expected to generate £55.4 million in fan spending, according to new research. That’s not only music to many Manchester business owners’ ears, but it’s also the sound of tills ringing across the country.
Demand has been nothing short of phenomenal. When tickets went on sale last August, 10 million fans from 158 countries flooded online queues, all vying for a chance to witness the long-awaited reunion. But this isn’t just about Liam and Noel sharing a stage again – it’s a cultural milestone with major economic implications.
Manchester’s Masterplan
And Manchester looks well prepared to welcome home two of its biggest icons. From pop-up markets in St Peter’s Square to the planned ‘Oasis Week’ at Central Library, Manchester City Council is making every effort to help the city capitalise on this moment as part of its MCR Live ’25 programme this summer.
It’s easy to see why. Forecasts suggest the tour will inject £940 million into the UK economy, with just over a third of this meant for Manchester alone. That influx will ripple through cafés, taxis, bars, hotels and souvenir shops, with most fans expected to stay for at least three nights.
Little by little, the momentum is building. Those who’ve been out in the city will have no doubt seen the work that is already that going in to drawing superfans – and their spending – right into the heart of Manchester.
The business mood? Some Might Say it’s positive
Manchester’s independent retailers and hospitality venues are already on the front foot. Our latest Business Barometer – a monthly temperature gauge of confidence levels among businesses – showed that the outlook is positive.
North West businesses are showing strong growth ambitions, with 59% planning to increase staff levels over the next year, a 13-point jump from last month. Meanwhile, over a third (38%) are preparing to launch new products or services, showing clear intent to capitalise.
And they should. Concertgoers will be spending fast, but only where businesses are ready. That means having contactless and mobile payment options in place and adjusting opening hours to catch late-night trade. But it’s also about transforming the customer experience. ‘Phygital’ solutions – where physical service is enhanced by digital tools – are becoming essential in hospitality.
One of the biggest frustrations for customers is waiting for the bill. With today’s paytech, that no longer has to be the case. Diners can now scan a QR code at the table, order and pay for food and drinks via an app using a digital wallet and enjoy the ease of table service without queuing. These systems also encourage more consistent tipping, as checkout flows can prompt automatic gratuities. Plus, digital menus reduce the need for printed materials, cutting waste while keeping service fast and flexible. For businesses, it’s a smarter, more efficient way to meet demand during high-traffic moments like concert weekends.
Understanding customer spending habits in advance will help businesses of all sizes. Using payment data to build profiles, shape offers and refine marketing will boost engagement before, during and after the shows.
For some, securing additional short-term funding, such as business overdrafts, could provide the cashflow to invest in extra stock, extended hours or Oasis-inspired experiences. It’s a flexible way to stay ahead of demand and manage any short-term costs.
SMEs can’t let this opportunity Slide Away
As Manchester prepares to take centre stage, the economic uplift will be immense. Starting from this weekend, hundreds of thousands of Oasis fans will flock to the city and will be looking for places to dine out, shop and sightsee as they get ready for these homecoming gigs.
So now is the moment for Manchester’s SMEs to act. Opportunities like this don’t live forever, and those who are ready stand to benefit long after the final encore.
