Why should Manchester be considered for the next European Capital of Culture?

Manchester, Manchester, Manchester… full of ambition and promise but in this modern country, this established North West city seems to have been forgotten. Hiding in the shadows of its Merseyside neighbour’s recent spell as the European Capital of Culture, Manchester is yet to fully make its mark in contemporary Britain.

The reason as to why it has been forgotten seems to be a bit of a mystery. The city can hardly be called small – after all, it’s home to around 500,000 residents and is the 7th most populated local authority district in the UK. And it’s not as if it’s not well known. In fact, on a recent holiday to Africa I was repeatedly asked if I was from Manchester, undoubtedly due to the popularity of the city’s two popular football clubs; Manchester United and Manchester City.

According to a well known online encyclopaedia, Manchester is a “centre for the arts, media, higher education and commerce.” Boasting many renowned universities, including Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester is a melting pot for creative talent and has housed many famous creative-types including L S Lowry, Caroline Aherne and Steve Coogan, to name but a few.

Manchester office space is also regarded as some of the best in the UK. Major organisations such as Granada Television and The Guardian newspaper have taken office space in the city thanks to its fairly central location and its value for money. Improved rail service has made it possible to travel to London in less than 2 hours, making it ideal for travelling to important business meetings.

The nightlife is also thriving in Manchester. From Canal Street to the Piccadilly area; Manchester has pubs, bars and nightclubs for party-goers of all ages. And if you’re looking for something to do in the day, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Manchester. Boasting 2 huge shopping centres (the Arndale Centre and the Trafford Centre), Manchester is one of the best places to shop in the country. For those looking for something a bit more cultural the Museum of Science and Industry and the Museum of Transport can both be found in Manchester.

OK, so now you know how fantastic Manchester is but why should it be named as the next European Capital of Culture? The point of the title is to highlight the chosen city’s cultural life and cultural development. Manchester would be perfect because, as we’ve already established, it has culture and creativity in abundance. Liverpool was granted the title back in 2008 and received a European spotlight and a boost to its struggling economy.

Currently the title is owned by Istanbul but there’s a chance that the title could come back to the UK in about 2022. If and when it does, Manchester really should be in the running. After all, it’s the third most visited city in the UK so it’s about time it gets recognised once and for all!