Manchester
In recent years, Manchester has consolidated its position as the commercial and administrative hub of the northwest. More than one million people are currently employed in the Greater Manchester area and more than 80 of the Financial Times Top 100 firms have operations in the city. The traditional manufacturing base has been steadily eroded in the post-war years and the emphasis is now on the service industry. This is borne out by the fact that Manchester is now recognised as the UK’s most important financial and banking centre outside London, with more than 80 national and international banking organisations having operations here.
The Manchester area has benefited from numerous major infrastructure projects and can now boast an impressive list of world class assets including:
- National Cycling Centre (Velodrome)
- Bridgewater Hall - home for the Hallé Orchestra
- The Lowry - a state-of-the-art culture and arts museum
- Imperial War Museum North
- T2 - second terminal at Manchester Airport and a second runway
- Manchester Evening News Arena - a 16,000-seat indoor concert and sports venue in the heart of the city
- The Trafford Centre
- The City of Manchester Stadium
The success of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester continued the city’s legendary reputation for sporting prowess, and further extensions to Manchester United Football Club’s Old Trafford stadium have made it the largest venue in the whole of the Premier League. The city has a large catchment area and employment pool, first class current and historic employment rates and above-average expenditure per capita in relation to the national average and other regional shopping centres around the country.
Tourism
The proximity of Manchester Airport provides a further opportunity – to make The Trafford Centre a European shopping destination.
The Centre is now firmly established as a key north west tourist attraction and through joint initiative work with other Manchester attractions, is committed to attracting visitors from outside the region and abroad.
Regional Sports Centre
Since The Trafford Centre opened in September 1998 the shopping and leisure destination has become the gateway to a host of other attractions and developments on its doorstep.
Prior to the Centre opening approximately 61 hectares of land to the north of the shopping complex site was earmarked for sports related companies to create an unrivalled destination for sports and leisure pursuits in the north west - a new regional sports centre.
The first phase of the ambitious complex incorporated a JJB sports soccer dome which comprises an extensive gym, swimming pool and 18 indoor football pitches with a David Lloyd health and fitness club nearby.
A £3.5 million state-of-the-art golf driving range was also added to the site - The Playgolf Experience - which was the first in the UK. Playgolf Experience comprises of 64 bays on two levels, a JJB store selling an unrivalled range of golfing equipment and clothing, as well as a golfing academy. Novices or enthusiasts can practice hitting from sand to rough, side hill, uphill and downhill lies and take advantage of the purpose built putting green and short game area.
The regeneration of the area continued during 2001 with the opening of The Tulip Inn hotel situated adjacent to the Playgolf Experience. The four-storey hotel has 119 bedrooms and its style reflects the neo classical architectural themes of The Trafford Centre.
Peel Holdings has now completed its latest development, Venus, a high quality and architecturally stunning office development located directly opposite The Trafford Centre. Constructed by Bovis Lend Lease, the building benefits from ample on-site secure car parking, full air-conditioning and all other facilities required to meet Grade A specification.
When fully occupied it is likely to accommodate over 1,000 people and will continue to support the growth and investment of the local economy.
Construction is underway on the North West’s first indoor real snow Alpine village, Chill Factore. It will offer the country’s best year-round snow-based leisure, with an unmatched mix of sport, shops, bars and restaurants. The design is world class, the ski and snowboard coaching will be to Olympic standard and the atmosphere – for snowbirds, shoppers, spectators and après-ski fans alike – will rival anything in the North West.