'Kin 'ell, Chanel brings £8m

Jonathan Schofield 19 December 2023

Fashion giants deliver dosh for the city despite Doubting Thomas's

There was always a couple of amounts Manchester used to claim was the economic benefit of an event or an improvement: £22m or £12m. Every time.

These fat and fecund funding figures could refer to a train line improvement, Christmas markets, Manchester International Festival, a major conference or convention, a new building development, a road improvement or even the reintroduction of otters on the River Irwell. Maybe not the last one.

With Chanel's Metier d'Arts Manchester love-in the economic benefit has been declared by Marketing Manchester as £8m. At least that's a bit more realistic.

The event was delivered at no cost to the public purse

This is what the council say about the economic benefits.

'Initial analysis suggests that Chanel’s Métiers d'Art event in Manchester earlier this month generated a direct economic impact of around £8 million for the city.

'The figure, calculated by Marketing Manchester, relates to the direct impact of around 600 guests and staff at the show staying in city hotels for 3-4 days in most cases, their spending while they were in the city and other production-related expenditure including venue hire.

'It does not include the value of positive national and international media coverage for the city, which is estimated to come in well north of £100m, which will help attract further investment, jobs and opportunities for Manchester people.

'The event was delivered at no cost to the public purse with Chanel meeting associated costs such as additional cleaning and road closures, as well as recompensing the businesses directly affected.

'Hosting the event also generated wider social benefits. For example, fifty Manchester Met fashion students - from first years to masters students - gained priceless experience as they were hand-picked for professional backstage roles including dressing models, organising collections and supporting rehearsals.'

2023 12 12 Chanel Thomas Street — **All a buzz on Thomas Street** Image: Confidentials

The key sentence there is that the event was delivered at 'no cost to the public purse'. Given the scale of the Chanel operation and its £12bn turnover this was absolutely correct. The fact the event involved locals was welcome too, although of course the jury's out on whether that could have been more pronounced.

The boost to national and international coverage is inconvertible although wow a £100m. Really?

As Victoria Braddock, the new Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said: 'The global media coverage of the event has put a spotlight on Manchester and its rich heritage in textiles and home of iconic music, which will drive conversations about the city and bring new visitors. The £8m economic impact is a welcome boost across accommodation, restaurants, and attractions, and demonstrates the importance of global events in the city.”

The Chanel circus, as stated elsewhere on Confidentials, was fun, a right blast and a little moment in the city story. The Doubting Thomas's (or even Doubting Thomas Streets) need not have worried. The city gained money and prestige and there's nothing wrong with either.

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