BEV Craig has been leader of Manchester City Council for exactly two years. And when she’s asked a big question by the Manchester Evening News about the city’s progress, the answer that comes back is brimming with optimism.
IS MANCHESTER ON THE BRINK OF A NEW GOLDEN AGE?
“If you look at the city’s resurgence, and the trajectory that we’ve been on, from the late-80s or early-to-mid-90s, the rising economy that we’ve seen — all of those things — I think the conditions are right for it,” she replies.
Days after the M.E.N. interview, the first signs of Chanel’s Northern Quarter catwalk came into view, in the build-up to fashion house’s eagerlyanticipated Métiers d’Art show, and the English National Opera announced its move to Manchester.
Weeks before that, Danny Boyle’s reimagining of The Matrix opened at Aviva Studios, the biggest investment in culture seen in Britain for 20 years. Meanwhile, huge leisure attractions Co-op Live and Therme Manchester are set to open soon.
And, in May, Manchester City completed their historic treble, a generation after United’s feat - which means that, of the only two English clubs to reach those heights, both are Mancunian.
Meanwhile the city centre’s development boom roars on. This week, the starting gun was fired on the latest race to build Manchester’s tallest skyscraper.
Meanwhile in late November, city leaders and business bosses mingled at No.1 Circle Square - 12 storeys above the ground - to announce the launch of Manchester’s latest economic strategy, which promises to grow the city with a less ‘trickle down and more interventionist’ approach for the next decade.
At launch, Coun Craig said: “We want good jobs, we want to keep people and attract people.
This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of MEN on Sunday.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pep says striker cried foul over the lack of free kicks awarded
ERLING Haaland was annoyed at the lack of fouls he had been awarded in Manchester City's win over Wolves when replaced, according to Pep Guardiola.
Time to give Mount chance a to make his mark on season
THE season is almost over and Mason Mount has made just four Premier League starts.
Ingredients for a perfect weekend as United target Europa League
MANCHESTER United will be targeting a first Premier League away win since February when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Monday night.
Warren: 'Fury will do Usyk at his own game'
FRANK Warren believes Tyson Fury will 'do Oleksandr Usyk at his own game' and warned fans about reading too much into the British fighter's performance against Francis Ngannou last year.
An appealing walk and Sunday lunch
Emma Gill works up an appetite by heading to the Peel Tower
'No surprise people living shorter lives'
THE author of a host of major publications exposing health inequalities in the UK and further afield, Professor Sir Michael Marmot is unquestionably one of the world's leading health equity experts.
Teen shoplifter banned from dozens of stores
Criminal Behaviour Order covers retailers across region
Founders' vision still alive after 170 years
Luxury furnishers reflect on proud history - and look to a bright future
Fish, chips &... piano
THERE'S no shortage of chippies across Greater Manchester, but there aren't many fully fledged chippy restaurants around, especially ones with an in-house pianist.
Two ceilings collapse at crumbling hospital
Patients in critical care unit affected as situation described as 'dangerous'