Manchester’s story began in the 18th century when it became the world’s first industrialised city. Its rapid transformation was fuelled by the booming textile industry, earning it the nickname “Cottonopolis.” A key player in the Industrial Revolution, Manchester pioneered not only in manufacturing but in infrastructure, with the world’s first inter-city passenger railway opening between Manchester and Liverpool in 1830.
Beyond industry, Manchester is renowned for its vibrant culture. The city’s music scene is legendary, having given rise to The Smiths, Joy Division, Oasis, and The Stone Roses. This musical heritage is still very much alive, echoed through bustling venues like Band on the Wall, Albert Hall and the newly opened Co-op Live, the UK’s first fully electric arena.
In recent decades, Manchester has undergone one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration programmes. The NOMA project, a sprawling £800m redevelopment in the city centre, exemplifies this transformation. Combining office spaces, residential units, and retail hubs, NOMA aims to create a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use district.
A major beneficiary of Manchester’s development has been its business tourism and events sector. In fact, over the past decade, the city has increased both the value and volume of its conferences by 50%. The Greater Manchester Business Tourism Strategy has set ambitious goals to reach £1.2 bn in conference value by 2025, fuelled by increased demand for large-scale events and modern infrastructure.
The Manchester Central Convention Complex, housed in a former railway station, is a perfect example of heritage repurposed for business. With capacity for over 10,000 delegates, it regularly hosts industry-leading exhibitions, summits, and trade shows.
Adding to the city’s events portfolio is the Co-op Live arena, which opened its doors in 2024. With a capacity of 23,500, this arena is not only a state-of-the-art music venue but also a game-changer for corporate entertainment and live business events. Designed with sustainability in mind, it features solar power, rainwater harvesting, and zero single-use plastics aligning with the city’s broader goal of becoming the UK’s most sustainable city by 2030.
Looking forward, Manchester’s prospects in the B2B events space remain strong. As more international businesses look beyond London for cost-effective, accessible, and culturally rich destinations, Manchester is fast emerging as a viable alternative. Its capacity to host world-class events, commitment to net-zero practices, and unique blend of heritage and modernity make it especially appealing to organisers and delegates alike.
As the city gears up for another decade of transformation, one thing is clear: Manchester is not just a city with a storied past, it’s a city designing its future.
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