Manchester houses England’s fifth-largest population of about 600,000 people, and it has much to offer as both a major commerce and tourism location. It was one of the first industrialised cities in the United Kingdom’s history, best known for its prosperous economy.
The culturally diverse city is home to more than 200 languages, and hospitality is an integral part of the local scene. Manchester also boasts a wide range of industries, including finance, real estate, legal, and biotechnology. Digital and creative media, tourism, and gaming platforms (like GoldenSlot) also thrive here among similar entrepreneurial ventures.
While the cost of living is much lower than in London, Manchester is relatively more expensive than outlying cities in the UK. It is also notable for its economy, sport, and tourism.
Manchester Economy
The local Manchester economy is one of the healthiest in the UK as an industrial hotspot. London has claimed the top spot in previous decades, but there have been two instances where Manchester’s growth exceeded that of London, especially since the start of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse program in 2014.
Thanks to Manchester’s stable job market, at least 50% of the students from the city’s top universities opt to remain in the local industry once they graduate. In fact, the football city has the UK’s highest graduate retention rate outside London.
Sport in Manchester
In 2012, a SportsBusiness Group Ultimate Cities report recognised Manchester as the world’s fifth-best sports city after London, Melbourne, Sydney, and New York City. The city is home to two of the most prominent names in the sports world—rival football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United. Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home ground, is also Britain’s largest club ground.
Manchester City occupies Etihad Stadium, initially constructed for the 2002 Commonwealth games in the UK. Lancashire ground hosts national and international cricket games, while the nearby Sale, Salford, Wigan and Warrington locations are home to rugby union and rugby league games.
A few sports facilities in Manchester spark the envy of other UK cities, including:
- Manchester Aquatics Centre
- City of Manchester Stadium
- Manchester Climbing Centre
- Manchester BMX Track
- The Salford Quays Watersports Centre
- Manchester Tennis Centre
- National Squash Centre
- Manchester Regional Gymnastics Centre
- Chill Factore indoor skiing and snowboarding slope
Manchester Tourism
A 2019 survey also ranked Manchester as the UK’s second-most popular destination for foreign tourists. More visitors come to Manchester than any other destination listed outside London. Thanks to the extraordinary surge, the city has also outranked Edinburgh recently as the most visited tourist destination outside London.
These are many reasons Manchester is one of the best cities to visit in the UK. If you have limited time, choose from some of the city’s top tourist attractions, including Castlefield, Science and Industry Museum, Imperial War Museum North, Chinatown, and People’s History Museum. If you love shopping, Manchester also has a wide range of retail opportunities in King Street, Royal Exchange, and St. Anne’s Square.
