Why Manchester is a Great Place to Work and Play

Creative, diverse and home to a thriving startup scene, Manchester is an eclectic playground of tradition and innovation. Known as the gateway to the North, the city of Manchester has established itself as a beacon of grandeur in the eyes of businesses. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK and represents the second-largest economy after the capital and Birmingham.

With over 100,000 students, Manchester is also rich in young talent, making it a brilliant base for competitive businesses keen to hire talented graduates. With so much going for it, it’s perhaps not surprising that office space in Manchester is in high demand, yet operating costs are still up to 40% lower than they are in London. Flexible office space in Manchester averages around £250-£500 per person for a private office and just £150-£300 for a dedicated desk.

Travelling in Manchester

Thanks to strong road, rail and air networks, travelling into and around the city is never a concern.

Manchester trains

Manchester Piccadilly and Victoria train stations receive millions of passengers every year and connect businesses to all the major cities across the UK. The city’s also home to the UK’s largest light rail network, the Metrolink tram service, which links the city centre to many of the surrounding towns and villages for an affordable and quick commute.

Manchester airports

Manchester Airport is one of the busiest in the UK and flies to mainland Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia. Liverpool and Leeds Bradford Airports are also just 27 and 36 miles away respectively.

Manchester buses

Within the city centre, there’s a free bus service that links all the main rail stations, business areas and shopping districts. There are also commercial bus services that run right across Greater Manchester. Getting a System One Travelcard allows you to travel on any bus or a combination of bus, tram and train.

Driving in Manchester

Manchester is circled by the M60 while the M56 is found to the south of the city. In the city centre, most roads are only for buses and taxis. The traffic can be busy and the parking expensive, so public transport is usually the best option.

Things To Do In Manchester

One of the many benefits of office space in Manchester is that you and your team are not going to be stuck for things to do. From cutting-edge art exhibitions and music gigs to iconic pubs, clubs and some of the best dining in the country, the city is awash with attractions that help to make the commute worthwhile.

Spinningfields

Spinningfields is one of the city centre’s most vibrant destinations. As well as being the city’s financial hub, it’s also home to cocktail bars, restaurants and shops, as well as cultural attractions such as the Manchester Opera House and the People’s History Museum.

Northern Quarter

If you’re on the hunt for independent restaurants and bohemian bars then the city’s Northern Quarter is the place to go. Its colourful, street-art-lined streets are also home to some of the city’s liveliest music venues, making it a great place to catch a gig after work.

Whitworth Gallery

Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery is home to some of the UK’s finest collections of art and design. It also has a regular calendar of exhibitions and events to provide inspiration and get your creative juices flowing.

Best for team building

Team building activities can help to create the sort of workplace culture that people want to be a part of. Office space in Manchester can be a big boon, with all sorts of unique attractions and events where you can communicate, collaborate and have fun right on your doorstep.

Escape to Freight Island

Escape to Freight Island is an urban market and festival space where you can find an assortment of different bars, restaurants and street food along with a retro arcade corridor, a karaoke venue, and most importantly, a 70s New York-inspired roller disco. That’s everything you need for a happy and productive team.

The Lowry

If you like your team building to be a little more refined, The Lowry might be more your scene. This theatre, gallery and creative space hosts stand-up comedy shows, West End musicals, live bands and world-class dance and opera.

Best for out-of-office meetings

Flexible office space in Manchester benefits from all the modern amenities you’d expect, including conference facilities and meeting rooms. However, with so much on your doorstep, sometimes it’s nice to get out there and show your employees and clients a good time.

20 Stories

20 Stories is a restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Spinningfields. It has a stunning rooftop restaurant with views across the city, a beautiful outdoor terrace and a well-stocked cocktail bar that’s a destination in its own right.

Ramona

An old MOT station might not be the first place that springs to mind when you want to dazzle your clients, but this once-industrial setting has been transformed into a pizzeria and outdoor dining hall without compare. As well as a diverse menu of Detroit-style pizzas (think thick, Foccacia base), Ramona also boasts a beer garden complete with a margarita bar and campfire.

The Pen and Pencil

The Pen and Pencil bar and restaurant in the Northern Quarter of the city offers an excellent brunch, lunch and dinner menu for tasty meetings at any time of the day. It also has a lively bar and cocktail menu for after-meeting drinks.

Best for wellbeing

When you’re choosing your office location, you need to spare a thought for wellbeing. The most stressful part of many people’s lives is the hours between 9 and 5, so it’s worth thinking about where your teams will be able to get away from the office, take a break and recharge.

Manchester parks and gardens

There are some marvellous parks and gardens even in the city centre where you can get back to nature. Whitworth Park is a relatively small Green Flag park attached to the Whitworth Gallery and is perfect for a walking meeting or a lunchtime run. Saint John’s Gardens is a tranquil hideaway for an alfresco lunch, while Heaton Park is a huge open space that hosts regular runs, gigs and events.

Manchester gyms

Flexible office space in Manchester is never far from an excellent gym. You can reload and reset at FORM, with small group and one-to-one training with personal trainers. Blok promises to get your heart pumping with cardio, strength, barre and boxing classes, while Bannatyne Health Club and Spa boasts the latest gym facilities, over 50 exercise classes a week and a luxurious swimming pool, sauna and spa.