Chanel fashion show's £8m boost to city'

CHANEL'S huge fashion show which was held in Manchester this month is believed to have brought around £8m to the city, according to the council.

- JOSEPH TIMAN

The exclusive Metiers d'Art event which took place in the Northern Quarter on December 7 saw celebrities stay in the city's top hotels to attend the luxury fashion brand's outdoor catwalk before heading to Victoria Baths for an after-party.

A specially-built canopy which has been nicknamed the 'Chanel Tunnel' was erected in Thomas Street where 600 guests including movie stars Hugh Grant, Tilda Swinton, and Kirsten Stewart watched models parade a special collection of clothes from the company.

Businesses in the area were paid handsomely to stay shut during the event as well as for the disruption caused in the build-up to it.

Following the event, council bosses said it was 'impossible' to quantify the economic impact the event has had on the city so soon. But ManChester council has now revealed that the fashion show is believed to have directly generated £8m for the city's economy.