Virgin Trains has been announced as Presenting Partner for this year’s Bee in the City in Manchester. The nine-week long event will be one of the largest mass participation public art events ever held in the North West, expected to attract around 1m visitors to the city centre.
Over 80 individually designed Bees will go on display through streets, parks and public spaces in Manchester this summer taking people on a journey of discovery through the city between July-September. Visitors will be able to follow the free, accessible trail, looking out for the two Virgin Trains Bees, with help from the Bee in the City App, unlocking exciting rewards in the process.
“We’re incredibly excited to BEE on board,” enthused Ady Crymble, Customer Experience Manager for Virgin Trains in Manchester. “It will bring added life and energy to the city centre, connecting the wider community and showcasing all that is good about Manchester.
“It will provide a massive boost for the local community, putting a smile on peoples’ faces whilst raising money for such a worthy cause, and rest assured we will be looking to add a bit of Virgin Trains fun to the celebration this summer.”
Virgin Trains employs close to 700 people in Manchester, operating 47 services every day (Monday – Saturday) from Manchester Piccadilly to and from London, carrying over 10 million customers each year, providing a vital link to help strengthen local economies.
Sally-Ann Wilkinson, Director, Wild in Art said: “We are thrilled to have Virgin Trains on board as a Bee in the City Presenting Partner. Thousands of families will be travelling to Manchester on Virgin Trains from July to September to enjoy what will be one of the biggest and most spectacular public art events ever. Virgin Trains is the perfect partner to take our trail-goers on a creative journey of discovery this summer!”
The Bees will make their final flight at a glittering auction in October, leaving a lasting legacy for various local charitable causes via the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s ‘We Love MCR’ charity.
