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Manchester: businesses top pick

24/09/2008

Manchester is the second most business-friendly city, according to a survey of senior executives.

Although London was first place, Manchester scored higher as the city most businesses would like headquarters in and back office operations.

The results of the findings from UK City Monitor are a good reflection of how businessmen and women see Manchester progressing over the next ten years.

Companies like Goldman Sachs have already been rumoured to be opening back offices here, with a lot of interest in the Spinningfields complex.

Cushman & Wakefield London's head of business space Adrian Hill said the capital city no longer had a complete monopoly as the best business location.

Executives were asked to score 21 categories about 15 UK cities.

Half of those polled said easy access to markets was the most important factor for them followed by "value for money" for office space then "ease of recruiting staff".

Renting office space has been so successful in Manchester city centre, that estate agents forecast one million square feet will be leased by the end of December.