Ian Brown, the lead singer from highly influential band the Stone Roses, famously said that Manchester had everything except a beach. Although perhaps lacking in sand and sea, Manchester has become known world over as an incredibly vibrant city, and one able to offer something for everyone. Manchester is the perfect balance of a city steeped in tradition, and at the same time incredibly forward thinking. It is world renown for its sport and entertainment and is at the forefront of British economic and industrial development.
Suggested Days Out Numerous intellectual endeavours, such as John Dalton’s contribution to atomic theory, James Joule’s contribution to modern physics and Alan Turing’s contribution to computing, established Manchester as a key centre of academic discovery. Flourishing development attracted a large immigrant population from diverse far-flung places, such as the stock exchanges of New York and Berlin, cotton fields of the Southern United States, docks of Mumbai and Calcutta and European intellectual capitals. Industrial wealth and civic culture shaped a distinctive cityscape where distinguished pillars of Mancunian history now rub shoulders with striking contemporary architecture. The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), where we will be our holdin our drinks reception, the Imperial War Museum North and the University’s own Manchester Museum will delight any history buff and ensure that you are clued up about the North West’s industrial, scientific, military and social achievements. And of course you can extend your knowledge still further with a visit to the gothic marvel that is John Rylands Library on Deansgate. Manchester also has a rich music tradition. It is the birthplace of many hugely influential bands, such as Oasis, New Order, The Smiths and the Stone Roses to name a few. Manchester’s main pop music venue is the Manchester Evening News Arena, situated next to Victoria station. It seats over 21,000, is the largest arena of its type in Europe, and has been voted International Venue of the Year. In terms of concert goers, it is the busiest indoor arena in the world ahead of Madison Square Garden in New York and the O2 Arena in London.
Manchester is a gastronome’s paradise, providing everything from high-class dining to top-notch takeaways. Fine dining venues, such as The Midland Hotel, who will be hosting the Conference dinner, and the Lowry’s River Restaurant vie with one another for sophisticated culinary dominance, while at the other end of the spectrum a more relaxed, hearty pub meal awaits at one of Manchester’s numerous traditional public houses. Almost any international cuisine can be found in Manchester. Chinatown supplies gastronomic delights from countries across the Far East, while specialist European venues offering everything from tapas to taramasalata are sprinkled across the city.
Manchester was at the forefront of the 19th-century Industrial Revolution, and just like then it continues to be one of the key players in Britain’s modern development. Generating over £56 billion of GVA (Gross Value Added), Manchester City Region contributes 52% of the Northwest’s total economic output and 5% of the UK total. With economic growth outstripping that of the rest of the UK, Manchester is demonstrating its importance to the regional economy, the North of England and the UK as a whole.
Heritage
An innovative city of science and discovery, Manchester’s heritage encompasses much more than the industrial history of the 19th century, for which it is often popularly known. The city’s cosmopolitan culture ignited the first sparks of more widespread social revolutions such as Marx and Engels’ labour movement, trade unionism and the campaign for the vote for women.
Historic public buildings include the Town Hall, Victoria Baths and the neo-gothic John Rylands Library. Many warehouses, mills and factories have been converted to sleek and trendy galleries, offices and apartments, while the 21st century Beetham Tower dominates the modern skyline. Tree-lined streets and leafy parks bring out the city’s softer side, boosting Manchester’s appeal as a welcoming, cosmopolitan European city.
Culture
Museums, galleries and theatres scattered throughout the city showcase the best of classic and contemporary artistry. Art galleries abound, including established favourites; Manchester Art Gallery and the University’s Whitworth Art Gallery, alongside more contemporary collections at CUBE (Centre for the Urban Built Environment) and the Cornerhouse. Thespians will love the Royal Exchange and Contact Theatre, whose diverse productions showcase the best of today’s creative talent.
Cuisine
Perhaps the most famous dining experience in the city is found in the neon lights and spicy aromas of the Curry Mile. This stretch of road in Rusholme hosts more curry houses per square mile than anywhere else in the country.
In addition to this, the Christmas Market will be running at the time of the Conference. Not only is this the perfect place to pick up some great Christmas gifts, but it offers the chance to sample various delicacies from all over Europe. Try sweet and savoury treats from Dutch mini pancakes and Hungarian goulash to Spanish paella and French profiteroles. Relax with a hot chocolate, warming Gluhwein, German or Spanish beer or French wine.
Sport
Manchester is well-known for its sporting pedigree. It boasts two of the leading Premier League football clubs, Manchester United and Manchester City, who are currently Premier League champions and FA Cup holders respectively. Manchester United are known world-over for their success both domestic and abroad, and their stadium, Old Trafford, is the largest stadium in the country, with a capacity of 76,000 people, and remains the only club football ground to have hosted the UEFA champions league final. 
Aside from football, Manchester plays host to numerous other first class sporting facilities. As the venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, it houses the National Squash Centre and the Manchester Veledrome, and the world-class Manchester aquatics centre. Various sporting arenas around the city will be used as training facilities by athletes preparing for the 2012 Olympics in London.
Economy
Key drivers of this growth are undoubtedly the strength of a dynamic private sector and the increasing attractiveness of the city region as a business location. Manchester’s incredibly competitive business costs continue to be instrumental in this and are a major facet of the city region’s business offer. This, combined with the highly skilled labour pool and ample property offerings means that Manchester has the ideal business conditions to attract and retain leading industry players. As a result, a large proportion of the FTSE100 companies now have a presence in Manchester City Region and around 40% of the Northwest’s Top 500 companies are based here.
As more businesses choose to set up operations in the city region and thriving indigenous firms expand, Manchester’s robust economy is set to strengthen even further. Over the next decade, growth is forecast to continue at an annual average of 2.1%, positioning Manchester City Region as a leading European economy.
