The multi-million pound Chanel boost - the extraordinary investment in Manchester for catwalk extravaganza that can build "lasting legacy"

Only when Chanel opens its eagerly-anticipated runway show in Manchester's Northern Quarter on Thursday night will we understand the true scale of what the fashion house has been creating here in the city. In the meantime, a quick walk around gives you a decent idea of the eye-popping investment that is being made by the world's most iconic fashion brand.

Thousands upon thousands of pounds are being spent turning Thomas Street into an outdoor runway for the exclusive Métiers d'Art show. Meanwhile every luxury hotel room and suite in the city has been booked out ready to welcome some 600 VIPs and celebrities - many jetting in from across the world.

And just imagine the money being spent to take out almost every flashing digital advertising board in the city with Chanel's latest ambassador, movie star Timothée Chalamet, smouldering upon it. Insiders say the investment Chanel is making in Manchester is "in the millions, not the thousands".

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Manchester has simply never seen anything like it before. No single brand has ever staged a city-wide takeover in the way that Chanel is feverishly doing right now, or, indeed, shrouded it in such secrecy.

Make no mistake about it - this is a global event. The eyes of the fashion and showbiz world will be on Manchester on Thursday, December 7.

Planning for the event has said to have been months in the making. Yet everyone officially involved, including Manchester Council, are refusing to say anything, on the record, about it all.

The only official detail we've had from Chanel is that the event takes place on