Manchester Central has announced it will welcome nearly half a million people through its doors (13% uplift) this year, contributing a forecasted £130 million into the city-region.
This surge in visitor numbers solidifies Manchester Central’s position as a leading venue in the sector. The growth has been attributed, in part, to the notable trend of organisers, including Hyrox, Accountex, and the Destination and Caravan Show all choosing to add Northern editions to their event calendars to tap into the burgeoning northern market. Clinical Pharmacy Congress, Digital Construction Week, and the HETT annual event have also all added Northern editions.
Furthermore, 49% of the events which took place in 2024 are returning for 2025, including the UK’s largest insurance broking event, The BIBA Conference, MegaCon Live, and Housing, which sees the whole of the UK’s Housing sector convene in Manchester.
“We’re seeing a significant shift in the events landscape,” said Lori Hoinkes, CEO of Manchester Central. “November 2024 was our busiest month ever at Manchester Central, and it’s clear that businesses are recognising the immense value and vibrancy that Manchester offers.”
The forecast comes as one leading UK economic forecasting group, EY ITEM Club, projected that Manchester would become the UK’s fastest-growing city in 2025, with an expected GVA uptick of 1.8%, citing the region’s focus on attracting talent to value-add sectors as an example for other cities to follow.