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From major event venues to shared workspaces, thousands of people work behind the scenes every day to keep Manchester running. This February, those vital roles will be firmly in the spotlight as the city hosts the UK’s largest hygiene and cleaning event at Manchester Central on 18–19 February.
The Manchester Cleaning Show will bring thousands of visitors to the city, including industry leaders, suppliers and professionals, and is using its return to celebrate the people whose work keeps the city’s public spaces safe and operational.
One of them is Heather Andrews who oversees housekeeping operations at Manchester Central. Born and raised in the city, Andrews has worked her way up through the industry and now manages frontline teams supporting major events and exhibitions at one of the city’s most iconic venues. She will also be sharing her experiences in a talk at the Manchester Cleaning Show.
Andrews said: “No two days are ever the same, and that’s what I love about my role. There’s a great deal of work that happens behind the scenes from logistics to waste compliance, to make sure events run smoothly.
“I work with people across a wide range of sectors, from healthcare to political events, and keeping the venue clean and well-run is essential. To do this at Manchester Central, in the city I grew up in, gives me a real sense of pride.”
As part of the facilities team at Co-op Live, Cassandra Lewis plays a key role in preparing one of Manchester’s most high-profile venues, and the UK’s largest indoor arena, for tens of thousands of visitors at every event. From premium seating areas to concourses and facilities, her work helps shape the overall experience for fans.
Lewis said: “When people come here for a night out, you want it to feel welcoming and spotless. It’s really rewarding when you get positive feedback from the public and know you’ve helped make their experience better.
“Sometimes it feels like the work goes unnoticed, but without teams like ours, these venues simply wouldn’t function the way they do.”
Across the city’s growing flexible workspace sector, cleaning teams also play a vital role in shaping daily working environments. At Department, Head Housekeeper Adrian Jedrusik oversees housekeeping across its Manchester locations. Carmen Elena Nitu, a cleaning operative based at Campfield – Department’s innovation and technology hub in the former Aerospace Museum building – supports members using the space every day.
Jedrusik said: “Housekeeping is more than keeping spaces clean. It’s about creating environments where people feel comfortable and inspired. Every day brings new challenges, and managing a team to make that happen is what makes this work so rewarding. Working in Manchester, a city with such energy and history, makes it even more special.”
Nitu added: “I’m proudest when customers, members, and attendants walk into a clean, organised space and feel comfortable while working here. I enjoy knowing that everything is perfect and every detail is in the right place. Being part of a kind, supportive environment, and part of Manchester’s diverse community, makes the work feel meaningful.”
While the focus of the Manchester Cleaning Show is firmly on the people working in the sector today, the city’s connection to cleaning and facilities runs deep. During the Industrial Revolution, rapid urban growth made sanitation essential to public health. Known as “Cottonopolis”, the city was central to the production of cotton yarn used to make mops and cleaning cloths. Across Greater Manchester and the wider North West, manufacturing of cleaning tools grew alongside the city itself, laying foundations for the modern cleaning and facilities management sector.
That industrious spirit still defines the city. From its streets to its workplaces, Manchester has always been shaped by its workers, a legacy symbolised by the iconic worker bee. The Manchester Cleaning Show reflects that history, recognising the essential role cleaning has always played in everyday life in the city.
As Manchester prepares to host the show, the timing also couldn’t be more important. With the sector facing ongoing skills and recruitment challenges, the Manchester Cleaning Show aims to raise the profile of cleaning and facilities roles as skilled, essential professions – rooted in the city’s history and critical to its future.
Paul Sweeney, Events Director, said: “Manchester has a proud heritage and long-standing connection to the cleaning and hygiene industry. Bringing this event to the city is about celebrating the people behind the work, highlighting the skills involved, and inspiring the next generation to see this as a vital, respected profession.”
