'Beyond expectations': Organisers celebrate as almost 12,000 turn up to Manchester Comic Con 2012

By Gareth Westmorland

A record number of people flocked from across the country to Manchester at the weekend for the city's Comic Con 2012 expo.

Almost 12,000 – double the attendance of last year’s inaugural event – turnded up at the popular event, which attracts gamers, sci-fi, anime and comic fans to Manchester Central.

Guests included the likes of former Robot Wars presenter and Coronation Street actor Craig Charles, star of BBC’s ‘Life’s Too Short’ Warwick Davis, England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton and ex-Manchester City greats Mike Summerbee and Tony Book.

Co-organiser Bryan Cooney said this year’s event went beyond their expectations.

“We knew we would have a great show but the turnout was even greater than expected,” Mr Cooney said.

“The atmosphere was wonderful. We look forward to returning to Manchester next year and hopefully an even bigger crowd and hall.”

An annual event is held in London, attracting stars from across the entertainment world, from actress Hayden Panettiere to Little Britain star Anthony Head.

But this is only the second event to be held in the North-West, and Namco Bandai consumer and community PR executive Hollie Bennett said it was amazing to see how much the show had grown in such a short space of time.

“The venue was great and the fans were brilliant,” Ms Bennett said.

“On behalf of Namco Bandai games I can happily say that not only did we thoroughly enjoy our time at MCM Manchester Comic Con, but it was a great event for showing off our upcoming game Tales of Graces.”

Manga UK's head of marketing and acquisitions Jerome Mazandarani said: "Manga loved attending MCM Manchester Comic Con. It was our first, but won't be our last. It was excellently organised and very well attended. Manchester is an amazing city and its people are warm and friendly. It was a great atmosphere."

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