On 4 July, 2020, restaurants, pubs, and bars will finally throw open their doors – and Greater Manchester’s cultural attractions such as museums and galleries will be back in business.
But since reopening will not be easy for many, The Manc, as the North West’s most engaged local social publisher, has offered a hand of support to businesses in the hospitality, leisure, retail and culture sectors who are anxious about this next chapter.
With an audience-first platform and a loyal following of almost 1 million people, The Manc has launched #BuzzingToBeBack, a campaign focused on helping struggling businesses get back on their feet, safely and soundly, by opening up their platform to benefit them.
Writing on their website, The Manc Group founder Sam Ridgway said: “Over the last few years, millions of outsiders have become moths to the flame of Greater Manchester’s hospitality and leisure industries.
“From our trendsetting restaurants, to our genuinely edgy bars, under the operation of some of the country’s best drinks maestros. Our thriving food, drinks and leisure scene is the best the UK has to offer and you have worked hard to put it firmly on the map.
“So, when doors slammed shut and boards went up in March of this year, it felt like the beating heart of our city had been ripped out, and its soul stamped on.
“But from July 4, the city centres and towns that make up the region will reawaken, and normality will be within the reach for millions of people who have been locked down for months.
“Our campaign offers free publicity and social media consultancy, instructions on how to join and take advantage of our large community groups and unmatched amplification of your company messaging across social media.”
So how will The Manc help your hospitality and leisure business?
They can significantly help raise the profile of any business, since over the years, The Manc Group has amassed close to 1 million followers across its network – from their Facebook page, its several community groups, their Instagram accounts and Twitter. They reach 30-40 million people every month on social media and 4 million unique people pass through their website every month.
So, how can you participate in #BuzzingToBeBack?
1. Tap into The Manc Group’s Facebook
Our Facebook community groups EAT DRINK MANC and What’s Happening in Manchester now have an open door policy. Individually, they are the biggest food & drink and ‘what’s on’ groups for Manchester on Facebook and are constantly growing.
In the week leading up to July 4, and the weeks following, we want you to use these group to communicate with their thousands of members. Tell them about your reopening procedures, the safety measures punters must follow, tell them your new opening times and SHOW them what’s on the menu, or what’s happening event- wise, in the coming weeks and months.
The audience that make up these groups are passionate Northerners, or people from just beyond the borders, who love to frequent the city for its top scran and unparalleled attractions – and they are all looking for that next hidden gem. We want you to take advantage of that. Join both groups below (preferably as your company’s Facebook page) and start getting your messaging out there…
2. Use The Manc Group’s hashtag #BuzzingToBeBack
We want you to take advantage of our hashtag while simultaneously telling your audience, and ours, that you are Buzzing To Be Back!
If you use the above hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, we will be monitoring it closely throughout July and ensuring that we amplify your content as much as possible. Just remember to include as much information as you can in your posts, such as opening times, safety procedures, general announcements, and/or what’s on the menu at your restaurant.
We’ll retweet you on our Twitter and republish your content on our Instagram accounts. But we don’t JUST want to amplify your content to increase foot flow to your business, we also want to drive growth to your socials so that in the future, you have more people to share your news with.
3. Chat directly
The Manc Group has just launched a brand new email address (buzzing@themanc.com) and they want you to use this to speak with them directly. Through the use of this email they are offering business owners free social media consultancy and digital marketing advice so that you can be confident in your online strategies over the coming weeks and months.
Sam added: “The resilience and determination of Greater Manchester’s hospitality and leisure
professionals to diversify, and remain operational in some capacity, during a global pandemic, has inspired us a great deal – and we feel it would be a crime if we didn’t help them get over the finish line.
“We are buzzing that Greater Manchester’s hospitality and leisure businesses are back, but we must remain safe and sensible as we head into unknown territory. Please, get in touch if you need anything.”
Get in touch with The Manc Group on their website here.
