Business leaders and city community unite in wake of terrorist atrocity

Business leaders in Manchester have united in their support for the city’s community in the wake of the worst terrorist atrocity on UK soil for more than 10 years.

Some 22 people died and 59 people were hurt – many with life-changing injuries – when a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device of Manchester Arena at the end of a concert by American singer Ariana Grande on Monday night.

Hundreds of people turned up at eight hospitals treating the injured across Greater Manchester to give blood and scores of taxi drivers came into the city centre to ferry shocked  pop fans home free of charge.

Hoteliers and residents in the city threw open their doors to offer accommodation. The stoicism of the Mancunian spirit shone through as political leaders across the globe voiced their support for the city. Businesses offered bottles of water, food and comfort to traumatised concert goers who witnessed the harrowing aftermath of the blast.

Although the bomber is believed to have been acting alone, a series of properties in south Manchester were raided yesterday. A 23-year-old man was arrested in Chorlton by armed police. A controlled explosion was carried out in Fallowfield in order for police to gain access to a property.

The suicide bomber was last night named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi, a man of Lybian origin but who was brought up in Manchester. The so-called Islamic State terror group is claiming responsibility for the attack.

As campaigning in the general election was suspended, Prime Minister Theresa May visited the Newton Health headquarters of Greater Manchester Police where she met chief constable Ian Hopkins.

As fears of a further attack pervaded the city yesterday, Manchester’s Arndale Centre shopping complex was evacuated amid scenes of further panic when a suspicious package was found in a food court, but later reopened when it was found to be harmless.

Last night a vigil took place on Albert Square as a show of solidarity and support for all those affected by the attack. Messages of support came from the Queen, US President Donald Trump and Pope Francis.

Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham said: “After our darkest of nights, Manchester is today waking up to the most difficult of dawns. It is hard to believe what has happened here in the last few hours and to put into words the shock, anger and hurt that we feel today.

“These were children, young people and their families that those responsible chose to terrorise and kill. This was an evil act. Our first thoughts are with the families of those killed and injured and we will do whatever we can to support them. We are grieving today but we are strong.

“Today it will be business as usual as far as possible in our great city. I want to thank the hundreds of police, fire and ambulance staff who worked through the night in the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

“We have had messages of support from cities across the country and around the world and we thank them.”

Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross have launched an appeal for people affected.

The fund will support people who have been injured or bereaved by the attack. The donations will help alleviate suffering and ensure that victims and their families do not face short-term financial difficulties.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Cllor Eddy Newman, said: “The We Love Manchester Emergency Fund has been established to swiftly provide funds to the families of victims of the attack at the Manchester Arena, to help them to cope at this incredibly difficult time.

“The fund will make payments to help families who are in need – including those who are faced with funeral costs and individuals who may have suffered life limiting injuries.

“The fund has been established after countless people, from Manchester and from around the world, expressed their desire to help.

“We are incredibly grateful to the huge amount of people reaching out to offer their support. This incredible response is a testament to the true spirit of the city of Manchester, which remains open for business despite this horrific attack.”

The British Red Cross have kicked off the appeal with a £50,000 donation from their Disaster Fund.

Mike Adamson, chief executive of the British Red Cross said: “The people of Manchester have suffered a terrible tragedy. This is a time when people can come together. Our volunteers are there, helping people affected by this attack. Many people around the world have expressed their solidarity.

“Our hearts are with the family and friends of those affected by this horrendous attack.

“We are launching this appeal together with Manchester City Council to support those people who are dealing with the trauma and aftermath of this tragedy.

“Today, our Red Cross principles – to alleviate human suffering and promote mutual understanding and friendship – seem especially relevant. We stand together with the people of Manchester.”

The city council has opened a book of condolence for the victims and their families and this can be signed online or in person at Manchester Town Hall.

And in Liverpool another was being opened at Liverpool Town Hall today (Tuesday May 23) for people to pay their respects to those killed and injured.

A statement from the leaders of all political parties of neighbouring Cheshire East Council said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and the injured, all their families and all those affected by this dreadful event.

“We stand behind the people of Manchester and join them in their condemnation of this appalling terrorist attack.

“We support the messages this morning from the elected mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and city council leader Sir Richard Leese, stating that Manchester is a great city which has experienced dark days in the past and whose people have pulled together to defeat terrorism.”

Another statement from Manchester-based commercial property company Bruntwood said: “Our thoughts are with all of those families affected by this terrible incident.

“Attacks like these are aimed at creating fear and breaking down our social fabric by dividing our communities.

“It is therefore important that, instead of playing into the terrorists’ hands, we pull together even more. Manchester has faced, and dealt with, terrorist threat and attacks in the past and it will deal with this one.”

Carl Williams, managing partner of business advisers Grant Thornton, which employs more than 300 people at its office in Spinningfields, said: “There is obviously a great deal of shock and raw emotion in the city about last nights’ attack.

“Our staff and their families regularly attend events at the arena. As individuals and as an organisation we extend our deepest sympathies to the families that have been affected.  Terror attacks in European cities are sadly not a new phenomenon.

“Manchester is many things – a business city, a sporting and cultural centre, a place of diversity and tolerance. Above all Manchester is a resilient and supportive community. We will rally around and come to terms with these events.”

Cheshire Community Foundation has set up a fund following the attack. All the money raised by the public will go to help the victims and families.

Cheshire Community Foundation, which has its head office in Northwich, Cheshire, connects charitable donors with the causes that matter across Cheshire and Warrington.

The foundation was established in 2011 with the help of its patron, the late Duke of Westminster.

Zoe Sheppard, chief executive said: “All of us connected with Cheshire Community Foundation are horrified by the news of the terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena last night.

“A great number of people from Cheshire would have attended the Ariana Grande concert or may have been personally affected by the attack.

“We know that people in Cheshire and Warrington want to do something to help so we have set up a fund to raise money for the victims and their families.

“As a community, it is so important that we all pull together at times like this.”

Manchester Law Society is co-ordinating a pro bono advice rota.

It is looking for firms who are willing to give pro bono advice and free representation to bereaved families to assist with CICA and Inquests.

The Society also wants to hear from firms willing to give pro bono advice to seriously injured people to assist with CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority) claims.