One Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after house prices have increased by nearly 10%.
Every year, leading property listing website, Rightmove, takes a look at all the cities, towns, and residential areas across the UK where house prices saw a significant hike on average last year, and puts together a top 10 list.
The ‘hotspot’ table is made up of a variety of locations where prices rose the most, when compared to the end of the year prior.
Taking the top spot on 2024’s list of property ‘hotspots’ is Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, where the average asking price for a home jumped by 12.5% in 2024, compared with the end of 2023, while the runner up has been named as Bristol’s city centre, with average prices rising by 9%.
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A Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after prices jumped nearly 10% last year / Credit: Pexels
Rounding out the top three, however, is the town of Swinton in Salford, with prices also rising by 9%, on average, in 2024 compared to 2023.
Swinton is becoming increasingly popular with first time buyers and families looking for more space and flexibility, while still being close to Manchester city centre, thanks to the several good local schools and community spaces within walking distance.
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Other nearby north west areas in the top 10 for 2024 include Skelmersdale, in Lancashire near the border with Merseyside, and Darwen, also in Lancashire.
Top 10 ‘property hotspots’ for 2024
Sunbury-on-Thames
Bristol city centre
Swinton
Skelmersdale
Gosforth
Swansea
Merthyr Tydfil
Darwen
North Shields
Glenrothes
Overall, the North West was region with the second place highest increase in house prices in 2024 at 3.8%, followed by Wales and beaten only by the North East.
“Despite a slow year for price growth overall, there will always be pockets of Great Britain which perform above the average, and 2024’s list of hotspots is a mixed picture,” commented Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer, Steve Pimblett.
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“Agents tell us that good quality homes in popular areas have continued to attract buyer interest, even in the slower periods of the market since mortgage rates went up.
“We predict that this year will be busier for the market in terms of price increases and sales, particularly if mortgage rates reduce.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Rightmove predicts that house prices will rise by 4%, on average, across Great Britain by the end of this year.
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliot (via Unsplash)
Property
Plans submitted for ‘substantial’ refurbishment of historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub
Daisy Jackson
Plans have been submitted for an extensive refurb of the legendary Sir Ralph Abercromby pub in the heart of Manchester.
Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments has applied to restore the pub in a way that ‘honours the building’s heritage’.
It will be integrated into the wider £400m St Michael’s development, which now towers above the 19th century bar.
The proposals include a substantial refurbishment of window frames, brickwork, and external doors (or replacements where necessary), as well as a glassed walkway that will link the pub with the 43-storey tower next door.
That huge new tower will soon be home to the W Hotel and W Residences, with other names within the development including Chotto Matte, Grind, and Circolo Poppolare.
The Bootle Street boozer has long-been one of Manchester’s most iconic pubs, and was the subject of a local petition during the early stages of the St Michael’s development planning.
After locals rallied around to save the pub, the Sir Ralph Abercromby was factored into the Relentless Developments plans.
And now it’s time for its new chapter, with works commencing in the coming months, subject to planning approval.
It’s hoped the work on the pub will complete by summer 2027.
Gary Neville, Director at Relentless Developments, commented: “The Sir Ralph Abercromby is one of Manchester’s most treasured pubs and an important part of the city’s social fabric.
“A big part of our ambition for St Michael’s has been to celebrate Manchester’s heritage and restoring this iconic building is central to that vision.
“Our proposals carefully retain and enhance the features that give the pub its character while sensitively integrating it into the wider St Michael’s scheme.
“We’re proud the pub has been able to remain open throughout construction and this next phase will secure its future for generations to come – ensuring it continues to serve the community while sitting confidently alongside a truly world-class development.”
Nearly 300 new ‘social rent’ homes given go-ahead as part of £500m Wythenshawe regeneration
Emily Sergeant
Nearly 300 new homes are set to be built in Wythenshawe as part of a wider £500 million regeneration scheme.
In case you didn’t know, Placemaker Muse and Wythenshawe Community Housing Group submitted three separate planning applications for 422 new affordable homes back in December 2025, following a public consultation with locals.
Now, works on two of the three new communities can begin, with the third expected to get the green light in the coming weeks.
Brotherton House – which is a former office building – will be transformed into 216 new homes, including an extra care apartment building with 109 homes for people in later life and those living with dementia, while C2 The Birtles, also currently retail and office space, is situated next to the former market square and will be replaced with 81 one and two-bedroom apartments.
Alpha House, which is currently awaiting a planning decision, has now been demolished and will be rebuilt to provide 125 one and two-bedroom apartments – including 16 wheelchair accessible homes.
According to developers, all the homes will be ‘affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient’, with additional outdoor and communal spaces to promote health and wellbeing.
The approval given to build these new homes forms part of the wider ‘ambitious’ plan to transform Wythenshawe over the next decade.
The wider masterplan for Wythenshawe will see up to 2,000 new homes created over the next 10 to 15 years, which will complement the wider investment currently underway in Civic – supported by £20 million of Government funding, and £11.9 million from Manchester City Council.
Nearly 300 new homes have been given the go-ahead as part of a £500m Wythenshawe regeneration scheme / Credit: Muse (Supplied)
New community facilities in the town include the Culture Hub – which is now underway – the Food Hall, currently awaiting a planning decision, new workspaces, and improvements to the outdoor spaces in Civic, all designed to create a ‘greener and more welcoming’ town centre.
“For us, this is about delivering the truly affordable homes local people have told us they need,” explained Andrea Lowman, who is the Executive Director of Development at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group.
“Every one of these homes will be for social rent, giving more families, older residents and people with additional needs the opportunity to live well in the heart of Wythenshawe.
“As the local social housing provider, we are focused not just on building new homes but on creating sustainable communities and making sure this investment strengthens the town centre for existing and future residents alike.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd February 2025 
