Manchester City Council have revealed plans to close off more city centre streets to traffic as well as A simplified online application process and fee waiver to allow businesses throughout Manchester to apply for outdoor seating space to help them reopen safely.
More than 30 businesses have already applied to the Council’s licensing team to request permission for the use of temporary outdoor space to meet government regulations around social distancing.
The move will help cafes, bars and restaurants with limited inside space to open safely for customers from Saturday 4 July.
With parts of Deansgate and Thomas Street in the Northern Quarter already closed to traffic, proposals for Blossom Street, Bridge Street, Corn Exchange, Dorsey Street, Edge Street, areas around the Great Northern,King Street
Short Street,The Village/Gay Village and Wakefield Street/James Leigh Street will be subject to Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders to allow people the distance to safely navigate through the city centre and to minimise pedestrian pinch points
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s City Centre spokesperson, said: “As more people are required to return to work or choose to visit the city centre, it’s essential that we have prepared to ensure our residents are as safe as possible. You’ll see more signage as a reminder to keep your distance, some roads have already been pedestrianised, and we’ll see more outdoor seating as well. This is all to reassure you that if you need to be in town, you are safe.
“Manchester may look a little different in the coming months, but it will still be the city that you know and love.”
The Council is taking a safety-first approach to reassure those people who need to be in the city centre that it is safe – especially in high footfall areas, such as Market Street.
Extra signage has been installed across the city centre to remind people to keep their distance from others to help control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
A team of uniformed and highly visible street marshals will work across the city centre who are experienced in crowd management and can deal with any potential crowding issues quickly and efficiently.
