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Worker Bees working hard
Manchester
Manchester has become a leading UK destination for events,
but how has it changed?
or hundreds of years
Manchester has been one
of the UK’s leading
industrial cities. Today the
cotton mills and Watt steam
engines are replaced with modern
industry: finance, IT and, of
course, events.
Located in the heart of the
Deansgate area is Manchester
Central, a former railway station
which now serves as a large
exhibition and conference space.
What makes Manchester a great
destination for business events?
“Manchester has long had a
reputation of being a city where
business prospers: a city where
Rolls met Royce, where the first
programmable computer was
created, where graphene was
discovered, and where the first
professional football league was
introduced,” says Shaun Hinds,
CEO of Manchester Central.
“In 2018, Manchester Central
hosted a record number of
events, with event planners
realising that Manchester
provides much better value for
money, without having to
compromise on quality.
“A vibrant and easily accessible
city centre, London stalwart
brands such as the Ivy, D&D and
Dishoom have all opened
restaurants within the last 18
months and a further 1,200 hotel
rooms will be opened in 2019.
But despite all this growth,
Manchester still, and always will,
retain its famous northern
warmth at its core,” adds Hinds.
Manchester’s infrastructure is
under constant development, as
tram and metro lines snake out
“Manchester still,
and always will, retain its
famous northern warmth
at its core.”
away from the city centre and into the industrial suburbs.
One such area that is benefitting from this improved
infrastructure is Trafford Park. The area, which is home to
Manchester United FC’s stadium, has seen several hotels
pop up in recent years, as well as re-purposed events
venues like Victoria Warehouse.
EventCity, however, is the largest in the area. So how has
the area around this large events complex changed, and
www.conference-news.co.uk
what is there for delegates to do?
Simon Jones, sales director,
EventCity, says: “EventCity is at
the heart of TraffordCity, a wider
development currently undergoing
significant changes, including the
expansion of the tram line by
2020 which is seeing a £350m
investment, creating a fast and
direct link into Manchester City
Centre.
“Delegates can enjoy a wide
range of activities when visiting
TraffordCity that are ideal for
team building and winding down
to follow a big business event.
Within walking distance from the
venue, visitors can hit the ski
slopes at the Chill Factore or try
indoor skydiving at iFly; also
home to a unique adventure golf
experience, Dino Falls,
TraffordCity’s Beyond boasts a
number of popular restaurants
and bars.
“Directly across from EventCity,
delegates will find one of the UK’s
largest shopping centres, intu
Trafford Centre. Offering a range
of high-end and high street
stores, Trafford Centre is home to
a number of restaurants, a
cinema and indoor mini golf,”
added Jones.
As is obvious, the global fame
and domestic success of both
Manchester United and
Manchester City football clubs
means that sporting venues are a
big draw for the city. But it’s not
all football.
Emirates Old Trafford is one of
the UK’s top cricket stadia, and
as the sport’s popularity has
increased, so too has its appeal
for events and client demands.