Manchester's Northern Quarter is battling a litter problem that residents and businesses say is 'bringing the area down', but a new business improvement district (BID) is set to bring change.
On a sunny mid-morning, people enjoy coffee and cake next to piles of smelly rubbish bags left next to public bins. The bags appear to be commercial waste waiting for collection, but hours later they remain. On some corners, bin bags have burst open, spilling rubbish onto the road and blowing through the air. A rat runs across a street as cans and food wrappers drift along the pavement.
Residents and Workers Speak Out
Barney, 22, who works at a Northern Quarter business, said: “There’s s**t everywhere. People dump rubbish in our planters, we’ve got to clean up every morning from all the litter left out. Then there’s all the rats at night, they’ll f*****g have you, it’s like some sort of mutant breed. It’s just a bit grim really.”
Liam Talbot, 29, who works at a different shop, noted that while main streets are cleaned most mornings, rubbish has built up in areas just off busy routes. On the corner of Thomas Street and John Street, behind some bushes lies an enormous pile of bottles, cans, and wrappers. Liam said: “It’s 100 per cent bringing the area down when it gets this bad. On a good day, the Northern Quarter is the best area in Manchester by far, it’s supposed to be one of the unique selling points of Manchester, and a big pull for tourists, but if that’s the first thing they see and it’s not clean, then it probably just confirms any assumptions or negative connotations they have about the city.”
Liam also mentioned that 'fighting and drug dealing' are common issues, and he has had to give witness statements for incidents in the past couple of months. While safety issues are improving, he believes changes are needed to make visitors feel safe and in clean surroundings.
New BID Plan Announced
Organised by CityCo, the city centre management company, a new BID is being set up in January 2027 to make positive changes. Businesses voted in favour of the BID in July, which will pump an extra £4m into the neighbourhood, raised through a levy on businesses. The plan aims to find solutions to 'aggressive begging' and 'drug-related activity', boost visitor numbers, and spruce up the streets.
The BID boundary will cover the 'entire northern slice' of Manchester city centre – from Great Ancoats Street to Piccadilly, and from Corporation Street to Ducie Street, as well as NOMA and the Printworks.
Feedback from businesses, published in a CityCo report, said: “The presence of independent and creative businesses should not mean streets are covered in litter. At weekends, the area is often left extremely untidy. The use of backstreets as toilets over the weekend makes Monday mornings particularly unpleasant for workers.”
Residents Call for Change
On Stevenson Square, residents and visitors agreed the Northern Quarter needs a change. Audrey Sternshine, 74, said she's on a mission of 'reacquainting' herself with the area, adding: “There are so many beautiful buildings around here, but there is always room for improvement, and I think they could tidy it up a bit.”
Dominic O’Sullivan, 45, and his partner Kiya Dunn, 42, said the litter problem needs a change in mentality from visitors. Kiya added: “People might come off the train and see loads of rubbish on the floor, I hope the money might be invested in some signs to tell people to keep it clean. More people should start putting their litter in bins rather than just throwing it.”
Kate, a 70-year-old resident, said: “You do just see people dumping things in the planters, it’s disgusting. But I’ve lived here for 12 years and it’s better than it used to be. I think people dropping litter need to learn how to behave themselves.” She also noted that people using the streets as a toilet is one of the worst parts of the issue, adding: 'It’s not just public urinating sadly, they do everything.'
Will the BID Make a Difference?
The plan includes setting up 'responsive cleaning services' to tackle problem areas quickly, as well as 'increase targeted jet-washing' including in doorways, alleyways and business fronts. There are also plans for 'a new team to address anti-social and threatening behaviour', including improving reporting and engagement with the Police and council.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was active in the Northern Quarter on Monday (August 10) as part of ongoing partnership work. Chief Inspector Mike Tachauer, from GMP's city of Manchester district, said: “This operation is a continuation of our work in the Northern Quarter, listening to residents’ concerns and ensuring we remain proactive in tackling the issues that matter most to local communities. We spoke with residents, businesses and visitors throughout the day to better understand the challenges they are experiencing and to provide reassurance through a visible policing presence. We are committed to tackling criminality and anti-social behaviour while strengthening relationships with those who live and work in the area. We will continue working closely with our partners and the community to ensure the Northern Quarter remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.”
Manchester City Council was approached for comment.
