Manchester host city

All about Manchester

The city of Manchester is the capital of the North West and is the commercial, educational and cultural focus for this vibrant region of England.

Population

As well as having a population of over 400,000, 60 per cent of the population of Britain, more than 33 million people, live within a two hour drive of Manchester. The wider area of Greater Manchester has a population of 2.5 million and comprises the cities of Manchester and Salford and the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Trade

Manchester is a focus for businesses which serve local, regional and international markets. Twenty-seven countries have consular or trade offices in the city.

Industry

The city is a major manufacturing base which employs nearly 300,000 people in the Manchester area and almost 700,000 people in the wider region. Some £14 billion annually is invested in plant, machinery and buildings.

Finance

Manchester is one of the largest financial centres in Europe with more than 15,000 people employed in banking and finance and more than 60 banking institutions.

Business services

Manchester is a major business services centre. More than 45,000 people are employed in legal, accounting, management consultancy and other professional and technical services. Manchester has the largest UK office market outside London and the region has the highest number of publicly listed companies outside London.

Conferences

Manchester is an international destination for conferences and exhibitions with more than 200,000 bed spaces within one hour's drive of the city centre.

Tourism

Manchester lies within a region surrounded by areas of national beauty including the Lake District, the Peak District and the Cheshire Plains. Tourism is a major economic sector with 3.59 million visitors spending a total of £463 million during 1997.

Broadcasting

It is a major centre for broadcasting, home to BBC North West and Granada Television as well as five radio stations. Eight national daily and five national Sunday newspapers have their offices in Manchester.