Two residential areas in Greater Manchester have been highlighted as UK ‘property hotspots’ based off house price data from 2022.
And they’re probably not the places you’d expect either.
There’s no doubt the property market in our region has been booming over the last decade or so, with average house prices seeming to rise year-on-year, and more and more areas becoming sought-after as the places to live time goes on – but now, Rightmove has released its list of the top UK property hotspots for this year based off 2022 data, and two rather surprising Greater Manchester areas have made their way onto it.
To create its list of hotspots, the UK’s biggest property website compared average house prices across the UK between 2022 and 2021 to out find the areas where prices they have risen the most, and the areas where prices are increasing more than the national average indicate that the area is a ‘hotspot’.
As well as soaring prices, Rightmove also considers a ‘property hotspot’ to be a place where there is a high demand for homes too.
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Manchester‘s inner city area of Hulme has claimed second place on the list.
Rightmove has released a list of the top UK property hotspots for this year based off 2022 data / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Hulme is an ever-changing residential area that’s been the subject of redevelopment projects several times over the years, and has always been a favourite with students and young professionals thanks to it being home to Manchester Metropolitan University‘s (MMU) Birley campus, but Rightmove’s latest data shows it could be set to surge in popularity with a much wider audience this year.
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According to the data, the average price of a home in Hulme jumped up by 26% from £188,454 in 2021 to £238,249 in 2022.
Elsewhere on the list, the Bolton residential area of Little Lever has been named another one of the UK’s property hotspots, claiming eighth place after average house prices soared by 20% from £169,709 in 2021 to £202,890 in 2022.
Grabbing first place as the UK’s top property hotspot was Eastwood in Nottinghamshire, according to Rightmove, with average asking prices in the area jumping by 29% compared with 2021.
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Other property hotspots named in Rightmoves top 10 list based off last year’s data include Sandbanks in Dorset, Heathfield in East Sussex, Chelston in Devon, St. Peters in Kent, Cowes on the Isle Of Wight, Birchington in Kent, and Deeping St. James in Cambridgeshire.
Property prices in each of those areas had soared by more than 19% since 2021.
Two rather surprising Greater Manchester areas have made their way onto the list / Credit: Roger Kidd (via Geograph)
While the South East has the most areas featured in the top 10 property hotspots, the North East, however, saw the biggest regional annual growth of 10.3% in 2022, and as a whole, house prices across the UK were higher in 2022 than the year before.
Rightmove says average house prices were 5.6% higher across the UK at the end of 2022 than they were at the same time in 2021.
“Property prices have risen exceptionally over the last three years,” admitted Tim Bannister, property expert at Rightmove.
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“If we compare with December 2019, just before the pandemic started, the average asking price of a home in Great Britain has risen by a staggering 20%, so to put that into context, asking prices rose just 3% in the previous three years, and we need to go all the way back to 2013 to see similar price growth.
House prices were 5.6% higher across the UK at the end of 2022 than they were in 2021 / Credit: Julie Twist Properties (via Rightmove)
“We expect average asking prices to drop by 2% next year now that the frenetic period for the market is over.
“It is likely that some sellers, particularly those in locations and sectors of the market that have benefitted the most from pandemic price growth, may be willing to give up some of their gains in this calmer market in order to negotiate a successful sale.”
Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
When it comes to those incredible facilities, we’re talking a gym, a yoga studio, three outdoor terraces with views across the city, study spaces, a private dining room, a gaming lounge, and free laundry. Not to mention a coffee lounge with free tea, coffee, and breakfast cereals.
They truly have thought of everything to allow students to thrive and make the most of the Manchester life, including running social events, co-working spaces, and mental health support.
This is Fusion Manchester’s brand new state-of-the-art student accommodation in Deansgate / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
And as for the location? Well that’s just the cherry on top.
Fusion Manchester is nestled in the heart of Deansgate, making it less than a five-minute walk to Deansgate Train Station or tram stop, as well as being in prime proximity to the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University which are both around 20 minutes away on foot – ideal when you’re running late for a class.
It also could not be in a better spot for making plans on the weekends with new friends, as it’s just a stones-throw away from some of the best cafes, restaurants, concert and retail spaces that Manchester has to offer.
The rooms boast incredible panoramic views / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
All residents’ rent covers their utilities, superfast Wi-Fi, free laundry, regular housekeeping and access to shared facilities, as well as the building having a 24/7 reception, secure fob entry, and CCTV throughout, to keep students feeling nice and safe.
Rooms range from en-suite accommodations at £265 per week, to classic, premium, or deluxe studios from £345 per week – but hurry, as they’re booking up fast and it’s not hard to see why.
Emily Sergeant -
6th January 2023 
