A Vibrant Music scene and the Birthplace of Veganism…
It all begins with an idea.
Lis moved to Manchester over 5 years ago, and has enjoyed the vibrancy of the city. Here, she tells us more about the city’s famous musicians, pizza places and gives some tips on how to best discover the industrial heritage.
What is your favourite thing about the city?
The size! It's compact and easy to get about, with lots to see and do
What is the music scene like?
The city's vibrant indie music scene goes back decades. Joy Division, The Smiths, Stone Roses and Oasis are some of the big acts to come from Mcr. It's still widely associated with rock and alternative music, but there's plenty of venues to suit all tastes; from huge pop names at the Manchester Arena to classical concerts at the Bridgewater Hall, not to mention all the smaller cultural venues dotted around the city
Do you have a favourite restaurant?
I'm a big fan of a small pizza place local to me in Stretford, called Bakehouse 32. Bundobust in the city centre is great for a curry. There are still lots of places I want to try! Also Bar San Juan in Chorlton serves fantastic tapas
Where would you recommend people visit in Manchester?
I think on a sunny day it's great to walk along the canal network especially around Castlefield - the oldest part of the city centre. It's a good example of Manchester's industrial heritage, but don't miss the Roman remains still visible in parts of the walls. Looming behind, you've got examples of new Manchester: big, glass and steel tower blocks, which divide opinion. Northern Quarter is fun for strolling around for a coffee (or something stronger!) and a bite to eat
Any other interesting facts about Manchester?
It's the first industrialised city in the world. And the birthplace of vegetarianism I believe!
Manchester was a Roman Settlement
It all begins with an idea.
Steven grew up in the northwest, and has spent much of his time in this area. He has always played an active role in politics, and now as a local Mayor, he shares some history, background and views on his much-loved Manchester.
What is your favourite thing about the city?
The people.
What can you tell us about Manchester and its history?
Manchester was a Roman settlement, and birthplace of the industrial revolution. Known as "Cottonopolis" due to textiles (linen is still known as Manchester in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa), the Manchester Ship Canal opened in 1894 and Manchester became one of the top 5 UK ports (despite being 35miles inland!).
It's a radical city, from Peterloo, to Emmeline Pankhurst and the Suffragettes, birthplace of the TUC, and the PFA. In 1909 when the FA threatened to ban players in the Union, Manchester United players stood firm, threatening strike action and forming Outcasts FC. The players won, and the Players' Union, the Professional Footballers Association has remained in Manchester to this day. More recently, in 2005, Manchester United supporters formed a new club, FC United of Manchester, in opposition to a different kind of challenge. The City is also the place where Marx met Engels, leading to the Communist Manifesto, one of the world's most influential political documents.
It's a city of firsts. At the University of Manchester, Ernest Rutherford first split the atom in 1917, Frederic C. Williams, Tom Kilburn and Geoff Tootill developed the world's first stored-program computer in 1948, and Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov isolated the first graphene in 2004. It's where Charles Rolls met Sir Henry Royce. It is the home of the world's first passenger railway terminus...You could say Manchester invented commuting. 😂
It's a city of music, from Madchester to modern indie, from Stone Roses, Happy Mondays to Oasis, to Courteeners.
What is your favourite restaurant?
Bundobust - 100% vegan (no I'm not vegan). Outstanding quality... And there are 2 of them.
Where should people visit?
Castlefield - The various years of history from Roman, to industrial revolution, to modern.
Could you share any interesting facts about Manchester?
There is a statue of President Abraham Lincoln in Manchester with the following inscription: " “The support that the working people of Manchester gave in their fight for the abolition of slavery during the American Civil War… By supporting the union under President Lincoln at a time when there was an economic blockade of the southern states the Lancashire cotton workers were denied access to raw cotton which caused considerable unemployment throughout the cotton industry.”
Excellent Public Transport & Lots to Do!
It all begins with an idea.
Caroline is an Associate for a law firm who spent several years living in Manchester and is very fond of the city, returning often for visits. Here’s what she had to tell us about it:
What are your favourite things about Manchester?
Some of my favourite parts of Manchester include the Northern Quarter, Castlefield, Salford Quays, and the city centre itself. It’s a good mix of urban and suburban, with lots of villages like Chorlton and Didsbury which are easily accessible by tram. Manchester’s public transport - including its tram system - is really good, the best I’ve experienced anywhere.
Where would you recommend people visit?
There’s a tour of the old sewer tunnels at the Museum of Science & Industry which is very bizarre but also really interesting. You can also take boat tours from Salford Quays which are really fun. For shopping, I recommend the Trafford Centre, and people are often interested in Hotel Football - a hotel next to Old Trafford owned by famous footballer Gary Neville.
What is the main industry in Manchester? What are the main legal firms?
The main industry used to be shipping as the city has close links with Liverpool, but now there is more of a mix. A number of national law firms can be found in the city, such as Eversheds, DLA Piper, Pinsent Masons, Freshfields, Addleshaw Goddard, PWC Legal. The business district is called Spinningfields. It’s very vibrant and has a lot of offices, gyms, bars and places to eat.
Is there much green space?
There’s quite a lot of green space in Manchester. Salford Quays is a really good place to walk. There’s also lots of little parks around the centre, particularly around the older parts of the city. They are nice areas to sit. There’s also Heaton Park in north Manchester, which is massive, and often has festivals. It’s easily accessible by tram from the centre.
What can you tell us about the Universities?
There’s the University of Manchester and Manchester Met. Manchester Met is a really good University for teaching, and the University of Manchester always ranks highly in the tables. Manchester has a large student population who mostly live in the Fallowfield area, where there are lots of bars and restaurants.