Christmas Market visitors have the opportunity to support a local good cause while having a festive tipple at one of Manchester’s famous Christmas markets in the city centre.
This year, market goers can support the local charity Real Change MCR by choosing not to reclaim a small deposit on their festive drink glasses.
Manchester Markets are offering the opportunity to turn your glass deposit into donations for Real Change MCR – put your polypropylene glasses into our donation bins and we’ll recycle the deposits and donate the money on behalf of our customers.
The beer glass deposit scheme is currently operating in four out of the ten Christmas Markets- with two deposit bins in Albert Square, one in Piccadily Gardens and one at Bar 3 on New Cathedral Street.
This sits alongside another partnership between Real Change MCR and Street Smart which allows diners in participating restaurants in the city to donate a voluntary £1 on their bill. With support from City Co even more restaurants in Manchester will be taking part in the scheme this year. .
Both of these initiatives involve a simple decision to donate to a very worthy cause to bolster funds to help people who are homeless in the city. These acts of generosity in the season of goodwill help Real Change MCR – to continue its important work supporting people build new lives away from the streets. The Real Change MCR fund is accessed by more than 20 local homelessness organisations and charities which provide support people who are, or have been, sleeping rough.
Grants are awarded to individuals to help them get off – and stay off – the streets. The majority of the money funds a deposit on a flat or the first month’s rent. The charities applying for the funding then provide long term support to help people continue on their journey to independent living.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council said: “We welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to our world-famous Christmas Markets, and we know that they are a generous lot who want to spread our renowned Mancunian Christmas spirit helping others. Many of them may not know which charity to donate to, so this year we’ve made it really easy by providing glass deposit bins at some of our markets and people can donate an early Christmas present to a really worthy charity helping people experiencing homelessness.”
Councillor Joanna Midgley, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This is such a simple way for visitors to our fantastic Christmas markets to make a big difference. All proceeds from the glass deposits scheme will go to Real Change MCR an umbrella fund used by a range of homelessness organisations in the city. They provide funding and practical support to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet. This is a win-win for everyone!”
James Charnock, Real Change MCR Chair said: “We are really pleased to work with Manchester Christmas Markets who are helping us to raise funds to help people who are genuinely in need. I would like to say a big thank you for making this happen and a thank you in advance to the people who visit the markets and deposit their glasses as the funds raised will make a big difference to the lives of so many people who are experiencing homelessness. If you are not coming into the Christmas Markets, you can still donate to our charity through Real Change MCR. and all of the money raised will support more than 20 homeless organisations and charities in the city.”
Manchester’s Christmas Markets are open daily until Monday 22 December – except at Cathedral Gardens and Albert Square which will remain open until Sunday 4 January.
The Street Smart scheme is already up and running in a number of restaurants across the city – full list signed up so far are:
Blue Eyed Panda, Ancoats
Climat, Manchester City Centre
Tampopo: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre.
Tampopo: Corn Exchange, Manchester City Centre.
Banyan, Corn Exchange
Banyan, Spinningfields
Manahatta, Deansgate
Tartuffe (Side Street), Manchester City Centre.
Tender, Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester City Centre.
Lina Stores, Manchester City Centre.
Bottega by San Carlo at Selfridges, Exchange Square
Frog and Bucket, Manchester City Centre.
Ezra & Gill, Hilton Street, Manchester City Centre.
Ezra & Gill, Peter Street, Manchester City Centre.
Mana, Ancoats, Manchester City Centre.
Bar Posie, Manchester City Centre.
10 Tib Lane, Manchester City Centre
Erst , Manchester City Centre
Podium, Manchester City Centre
Find out more about Real Change Manchester
Find out more about Street Smart in Manchester
Find out more about Christmas in Manchester