Hi Everyone

So, it's finally happened. After years of acrimony, barbed insults, and sniping on X

(Twitter), some infamous brothers have finally reconciled. No, I'm not referencing Harry

and Wills. I'm talking about those warring Mancunian siblings, Liam and Noel

Gallagher. Hatchets have been buried. Truces drawn, and bygones have become

bygones. Assuming this ceasefire holds, Oasis are officially back and playing a series of

mega-gigs in 2025.

They plan to do four gigs in North Manchester's Heaton Park, and the frenzy for tickets

will be epic. Diehard fans from the 90s and those who never saw these renowned sons

of a Burnage council estate will congregate in their thousands to celebrate this seismic

event. Naturally, the economic impact will be huge for the band, but there are also

immense benefits to the local economy. We'll also see a vast swell of interest in

Manchester as our most notorious musical icons take the stage.

I CAN'T WAIT!!

Let's Look Forward With Optimism

About 18 months ago, I wrote about Manchester as a great city for business. Now, the

spotlight is on us again; I thought it was time to revisit this theme, as things have

gotten a hell of a lot better.

Since devolution a decade ago, Manchester has been experiencing an almost

continuous growth phase. It is now in pole position to be Britain's "second city" and is

pushing forward as a beacon of political, cultural, and commercial innovation.

From plate glass office blocks to flexible working, Manchester is an unbeatable place

for businesses of all sizes to establish themselves. In 2020, Tech Nation hailed

Manchester as Europe's fastest-growing tech hub, acknowledging the city's expanding

digital infrastructure.

International companies like Amazon and PWC have a significant presence in

Manchester, driving output and employment forecasts and, in the process, growing

faster than London. GM benefits from the largest student population in Europe, who,

after graduation, provide local employers with a well-educated and creative workforce

to drive Manchester's continued success.

To Be Where There's Life

Culturally, Manchester remains at the cutting edge, but this reaches far beyond the

cliches about world-class football teams and the "Madchester" music scene.

With new art installations like Factory International, a new level of sophistication,

depth, and breadth infuses the scene. This is neatly illustrated by the eclectic content

of the respected Manchester International Festival. Indeed, the city now celebrates its

cultural catalysts in the annual Manchester Culture Awards. These artistic landmarks are

now part of Manchester's identity and go to enhance its global reputation. And if the

benefits of devolution and local decision-making can be fully unleashed, the sky's the

limit.

It's Gettin' Better (Man!!)

With the return of a Labour government, the city's influence will surely grow. Greater

Manchester has 27 MPs, most of whom are Labour and include some Cabinet-heavy

hitters. Most formidable, we have 'Ange' - Angela Rayner - the Stockport-born deputy

prime minister who will fly the flag for Greater Manchester as a critical player in the

UK's future prosperity.

The impressive Manchester skyline is the biggest clue to the city's rapid development.

Manchester looks increasingly like a US metropolis than a post-industrial northern town.

The construction boom is reshaping the urban landscape dramatically. I hope that it

doesn't overshadow the historic artefacts that remain from being the world's first

industrial city, as they are equally crucial to the Mancunian story.

I'm told that the city centre was once deserted in the evening, save for small bands of

revellers going to the pubs and clubs. On some mid-week nights, the city was strangely

quiet. Not anymore. People now have homes in the city centre and live and socialise

near the workplace. Since 2014, 20,000 residences have been created, 2,000 new hotel

rooms added, and many more are planned.



Manchester is well on its way to becoming a "15-minute city," which sounds pretty

good to me despite what conspiracy-minded types would have you believe.

All Around The World

Manchester is the only UK city outside London to be featured in JLL's "Innovation

Geographies" list, which ranks cities that are trendsetters in the knowledge economy.

Manchester sits alongside luminaries like Taipei and Milan, underlining its growing

importance as a centre of innovation and a new mindset about how we work.

That's why Manchester offers the perfect blend of opportunity and quality of life. With

access to Manchester International Airport and regular fast train connections to

London, the city is no longer an isolated northern outpost but a surefire place for

businesses to invest confidently.

And let's remember some of the other towns in Greater Manchester. Trafford, for

example, is one of the most desirable places to live in the UK (it's home to Manchester

United, so there is no surprise there). DJ Unabomber described Stockport as 'das neue

Berlin' for its burgeoning, lively nightlife. The town recently opened 'The Occulus,' its

acclaimed transport Interchange. It was one of the most significant civil engineering

projects in the UK.

The benefits of central Manchester's revival are now spreading to the whole city region,

meaning more jobs, a broader cultural palette, and exciting opportunities. This can

only mean a better existence for those who live and work throughout the region.

(Greenhouse) Gas Panic!

Or not as it happens. A focus on sustainability contributes to Manchester's success.

Without a ULEZ in sight (yet), the Eden building, with its lush living wall and emphasis

on eco-friendly design, shows Manchester cares about the planet. Plus, stated political

goals include decarbonising buildings and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by

2038. The city's focus on sustainability is essential to young workers, who prefer

employers who share their environmental values.

Be Here Now

As Manchester continues to climb the international ranks, the future looks bright for a

city carving out its unique vision of the future. Informed by its rich history as a

pioneering place for business, Manchester deservedly is making its mark on the global

stage.

Does an Oasis homecoming gig enhance this? Well, it can't do any harm, and the

money and recognition the gigs will attract to the city's businesses should not be

sniffed at.

Still, even without this unexpected return of one of the greatest bands the region has

produced, the energy and optimism in the city are palpable, and as the song goes:

'things can only get better'. That's why I'm super-proud to be a Manc, to base my

business here and to support my many local clients, who contribute to the city's

ongoing success.

Part Of The Queue

OK, so now our only problem is getting tickets. When they go on sale, the phone lines

and websites of the leading agencies will be red hot, and quite a few redial and refresh

buttons will wear out before they're declared sold out. That won't take long, I expect.

So good luck. I hope you get a ticket. I'll be trying for a few, so if all goes well, I'll see

you there.

All the best

Adam

PS: If you can name all the Oasis albums I drew my section titles from, you'll win a

special prize—another newsletter in about a month!