1. A prime beneficiary, Manchester will become a major hub on the HS2 line with two stations – one at Manchester Piccadilly train station and one at Manchester International Airport. Journey times from Manchester to London will be cut to just 1 hour 11 minutes by 2032. Forecasts suggest up to a GBP 834 million increase in Manchester’s economic output as a direct result of HS2.
2. A GBP 1 billion new ‘super terminal’ will be completed by 2024. It means 40,000 new airport jobs will be created in 30 years catering for an additional 10 million passengers each year.
3. Four of Manchester’s higher education institutions include: University of Manchester (ranked UK’s top 10), Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford and Royal Northern College of Music. Manchester has a 60% graduate retention rate – the highest outside London. The university of Manchester has also seen a 55%+ rise in Chinese students since 2013.
4. Manchester’s growth is continuing and is experiencing high demand as a city due to younger professionals being priced out of London and businesses look to north-shore parts or all of their offices. Two-bedroom apartment rents have risen 29% in the last 12 months, The Guardian.
