Manchester has been named the best city in the UK for anyone who works a full week in an office, a new study has revealed.
By now, a chunk of Brits may be very used to working from home or the remote working lifestyle, but according to new research by KPMG, two-thirds (63%) of CEOs in the UK predict workers will return to the office full-time by 2026.
But, which cities across the country are best for a five-day office week?
Well, in a bid to get to the bottom of this, online platform Business Name Generator has conducted a new study analysing 30 cities in the UK, and has looked at factors such as commute times and costs, the number of people who work mainly from home, the cost of a coffee, and the number of on-site jobs currently available in each city, to find out which one reigns supreme.
Manchester has been named the best city in the UK for full-time office workers / Credit: Mylo Kaye (via Pexels)
And according to the study’s findings, Manchester has earned itself the new title of being the best UK city for office workers.
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The study found out that our city currently has 432 office-based vacancies per 10,000 people on offer, which is the most of any city analysed, while a third (32%) of Manchester residents work mostly from home, which means the majority of people are heading into the office in some capacity.
On the flip side though, because of this, commute times into Manchester city centre are relatively high, at 39 minutes for a one-way journey, and a monthly travel pass will also set workers back anywhere from £80 – which is the third-highest amount of any UK city in the study.
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Top 10 UK Cities for Office Workers
Rank
City
Avg. cost of a coffee
Avg. commute times (mins)
Avg. commute costs
% of people that work from home
No. of on-site jobs per 10,000 people
1
Manchester
£3.34
39
£80
32%
432
2
Bradford
£2.28
44
£57
25%
308
3
Milton Keynes
£3.04
23
£63
26%
163
4
Southampton
£2.94
28
£60
26%
185
5
Stoke-on-Trent
£2.97
21
£65
15%
69
6
Preston
£3.03
26
£52
25%
133
7
Hull
£2.55
29
£56
13%
77
8
Coventry
£2.57
29
£50
26%
143
9
Edinburgh
£3.33
29
£60
20%
120
10
Plymouth
£3.13
26
£56
21%
81
Top 10 UK Cities for Office Workers / Credit: Business Name Generator
In second place on the top 10 list is Bradford, with 308 on-site jobs per 10,000 people being advertised in the northern city, while Milton Keynes has come in third place.
But what about on the other end of the spectrum then? Which UK city has claimed the less-than-coveted title of being accommodating to office workers? And what makes it so unfavourable?
Perhaps it’s no shock that London has found itself at the bottom.
The study found that the capital is worst city in the UK for spending five days a week in the office, with a travel pass costing an average of £181 per month, and a one-way journey to work taking 46 mins on average.
Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
Business
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.
Emily Sergeant -
19th December 2023 
