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Manchester named one of the UK’s ‘most desired’ places to live

Obviously.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th June 2024

Manchester has been named one of the ‘most desired’ places to live in the UK for 2024, according to a new study.

At this point, there’s really no denying Greater Manchester is mint and people want to live here.

Not long after two of the region’s towns have been highlighted as places first time buyers should consider looking at to get themselves onto the property ladder, and another of our local neighbourhoods has been named one of the best in the UK to raise a family, we’ve now got another title to talk about with pride.

That’s because Manchester has just been ranked one of the ‘most desired’ places to live in the UK in 2024 – especially when it comes to relocation.

Manchester named one of the UK’s ‘most desired’ places to live / Credit: Mangopear Creative (via Unsplash) | Manchester City Council

Whether you’ve landed a new job, you’re craving better weather, or you’re just looking for a change of pace, we all know there’s loads of reasons to relocate to a different city – but which locations are the most desirable of them all? In a bid to figure this out, the home insurance team over at Compare the Market decided to do a bit of research and devise a list.

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To do this, they looked at the average monthly Google search volumes for terms relating to living and moving to different locations.

And Manchester’s made it into the top 10.

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UK’s top 10 most desired places to live in 2024

  1. London
  2. Derby
  3. Stoke on Trent
  4. Birmingham
  5. Liverpool
  6. Wolverhampton
  7. Bradford
  8. Manchester
  9. Newport
  10. Sunderland

​​London ranks as the number one most desired city to live in the UK, and is followed closely by ​Derby,​​Stoke-on-Trent, and Birmingham, with our fellow North West neighbours Liverpool rounding out the top five.

Bradford and Sunderland are some of the other Northern cities featuring in the top 10.

The city’s new title is all according to a new study by Compare the Market / Credit: Roger Kidd (via Geograph)

“Relocation is an exciting adventure, but careful planning is key,” explained Anna McEntee, from the home insurance team at Compare the Market, as the top 10 list was revealed this week.

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Sharing tips for anyone looking to relocate in the future, Anna continued: “Make sure to thoroughly research the area you’re interested in, and consider factors like commute times and proximity to schools and amenities. You should also set a realistic budget that includes hidden costs like moving fees, potential repairs, and home insurance. 

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“Additionally, you may want to consider extending your home insurance coverage with ​​accidental damage insurance or ​apartment insurance to make sure your property and belongings are protected from any unforeseen events.”

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

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Spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display confirmed for Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester

Manchester will celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular FREE fireworks display, the council has confirmed.

This year, the dazzling display to ring in the new year will be set off from the roof of the city’s landmark Central Library building.

Mancs will be able to gather in St Peter’s Square as the city waves goodbye to 2024 and welcomes a new year.

The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration has never taken place at St Peter’s Square before, nor has the iconic Manchester Central library hosted any sort of fireworks display.

The fireworks spectacular and New Year countdown will take place on Tuesday 31 December between 10pm and 12.30am, hosted by local radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath.

With a rough capacity of 20,000 people, there’ll be a festive atmosphere in the city centre – but Manchester City Council has stressed that alcohol is not permitted at the New Year’s Eve fireworks event.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.

“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.

“Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.

“All you need is your dancing shoes, party spirit and your nearest and dearest. Grab hold of those and we can’t wait to see you in St Peter’s Square for the last party of 2024.”

Manchester New Year's Eve fireworks
Spectacular New Year’s Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, designecologist

There are a few things you need to know ahead of the event – attendees are asked to limit bag sizes to no larger than A4 in size, with bag searches in operation at the entrances.

It will be a standing room only event though there’ll be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Portaloos, public toilets until 1am, and hot drinks and food will all be available on site.

Event staff will make sure St Peter’s Square is cleared promptly after the event and once the fireworks are over to minimise disruption to local residents.

Councillor Pat Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve, including the growing number of local residents who live in town.

“I will therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance for city centre residents.”

Important road closures and event information for the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Manchester

A number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place in the run-up to and on the day itself so the event can go ahead.

Road closures – 31 December 2024 

7.30pm–2am

  • Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
  • Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
  • Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
  • Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)

9pm–2am

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  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January

  • Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)

Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January

  • Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
  • Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
  • Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
  • George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
  • Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
  • Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
  • Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)

Accessible parking

  • Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.

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Featured image: Unsplash, Chris Curry

News

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree

A man has been charged for a series of burglaries in Wigan – one of which saw him nick the ingredients for a Christmas dinner.

Gary Marsh of Heath Street in Golborne had reportedly taken a number of festive food items from a freezer at an address.

In the burglary on 7 December, the 38-year-old took items including a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

Mr Walsh also made off with a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.

Police have said he has been charged for stealing ‘a Christmas dinner worth of goods’.

He’s been charged with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference and will appear at Manchester Magistrates Court today.

Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree
Man charged after stealing Christmas dinner ingredients in burglary spree. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

GMP said in a statement today: “One frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets and a handful of Christmas appetisers.

“Gary Marsh 16/05/1986 of Heath Street, Golborne, in Wigan, was charged on Wednesday 18 December with six counts of burglary and one vehicle interference.

“On 7 December 2024, the following items were reportedly taken from the freezer in the basement of an address: a frozen turkey, two packs of pigs in blankets, a pack of prawns, spring rolls and chicken satay skewers.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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