The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel is pleased to announce a significant partnership with Invisible Cities Manchester, a social enterprise that empowers individuals who have experienced homelessness by training them to lead unique, personalised walking tours in various UK cities, including Manchester.
As the only hotel in the region to form this exclusive sponsorship with Invisible Cities, the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly will provide complimentary accommodation for the social enterprise’s team members during their visits. This support helps reduce overhead costs, allowing them to spend more time in the city with their guides and stakeholders and furthers their mission to give back to the local community and challenge stereotypes about homelessness, aligning closely with Mercure’s commitment to supporting Manchester’s communities and addressing homelessness.
Invisible Cities, which also operates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, York, and Scottish Borders, has recently launched ‘Doing Tourism Differently, a new initiative focused on inclusivity and sustainability, perfectly in line with Mercure’s recent efforts and goals. Over the past 18 months, the hotel has undergone a complete transformation, including a £3 million renovation to modernise 280 bedrooms, the reception area, and the creation of new event spaces, most notably the Garden View Room.
Andrew Krawec, General Manager, said: “With our new vision underway, we are committed to giving back to our local community. We are incredibly proud to partner with Invisible Cities in Manchester and support the important work they do in empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness to open up meaningful employment opportunities – a cause that resonates deeply with our values as a hotel and community partner. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our efforts to tackle homelessness and promote inclusivity. We look forward to working closely with Invisible Cities and supporting their mission.”
Catherine Warrilow, Manchester Marketing Assistant at Invisible Cities CIC, added: “We are so happy to partner with the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel as our exclusive accommodation sponsor in the region. This support means so much to our team, allowing us to focus on what we do best – empowering individuals who have experienced homelessness to share their stories and lead unique tours that challenge perceptions and give people a platform they wouldn’t otherwise have. The support of Mercure Manchester Piccadilly means that we can allocate more of our funds back into the community by removing the cost of visiting Manchester to meet guides and partners as well as aligning with our shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate community, flying the flag for all of the incredible Mancunian people we have the privilege of working with. We are excited to work together on this journey and I know that Mercure will be a proactive and supportive partner in spreading the word further.”
