Research from social impact developer CAPITAL&CENTRIC has shown that less than 2 per cent of the Manchester residential market is prioritising sales to owner-occupiers.
Examining new build homes on the market in Manchester city centre for £250,000 and under (via Rightmove in May 2020) CAPITAL&CENTRIC uncovered that 76 per cent were aimed at investors.
47 per cent of homes for sale appeared to be marketed primarily at investors, focusing on promoting predicted yields on investment.
A further 29 per cent were targeted solely at investors, requiring hefty deposits and in many cases specifying “buy-to-let” or “investors” only.
Just four developments in the city centre were aimed at owner-occupiers only.
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Two of those were CAPITAL&CENTRIC’s CRUSADER and PHOENIX on Chapeltown Street in Piccadilly East.
CAPITAL&CENTRIC
CAPITAL&CENTRIC previously made headlines for creating an owner-occupier community and banning investors when it launched Crusader Mill in 2017.
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Their research arrives as the developer nears completion on the Phoenix development next door – which is also reserved for owner occupiers.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of CAPITAL&CENTRIC said: “For us, banning investors has always been about creating a proper owner occupier community, where you can set down roots and get to know your neighbours. That desire to be part of a community has never been stronger as we’ve all come together in the face of coronavirus.
“Since lockdown we’ve seen loads of interest from people, especially first-time buyers, who want to live alongside other owner occupiers.
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“This research shows that many other would be buyers are still missing out to investors who are often buying up flats they’ll never visit, seeing them as investments rather than homes and either being an absent landlord or leaving them pristine and empty until the time comes to sell.
“Locals living in these flats, have bugger all chance of getting to know their neighbours, if they have any at all!”
CAPITAL&CENTRIC
Phoenix residents will be the first to move into the emerging Piccadilly East neighbourhood – recently named by The Times as one of the next greatest places to live – when the development completes in August.
The one and two bed apartments, designed by shedkm, are on average 35% larger than other properties in Manchester – another feature that has attracted buyers during lockdown.
Over half will have spacious balconies, with residents being able to access roof gardens and a dog-friendly green courtyard with fire pits and barbecues.
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Adam continued: “Most of us have had a lot more time at home over the last few months and buyers just won’t put up with poky, identikit apartments anymore.
“They want bigger rooms and outdoor space in a place that feels like home.”
PHOENIX is available with Help to Buy with prices starting at £195,000.
To find out more or book a viewing at PHOENIX, head over to the official website.
Property
Manchester rent is now ‘41% more expensive than five years ago, according to a recent study
Danny Jones
Yes, that’s right, as per some of the latest data on leased housing in central Manchester, it’s now approximately 41% more expensive to rent here than it was half a decade ago.
If you’ve lived in and around the city centre for long enough, chances are that you’ve already been feeling that difference, especially of late.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis roughly began in 2021, following the economy and the world essentially opening back up after multiple lockdowns, so it’s little surprise that new research has shown affordability when it comes to renting has been on a slump ever since, too.
As well as the price of seemingly most things in everyday life going up post-pandemic, the average rental rate for even just a one-bedroom flat/apartment has jumped up significantly between 2020 and 2025.
Even some ‘available’ housing in town is being hampered by claddin (Credit: Valienne via WikiCommons)
That’s according to the numbers crunched by credit card experts, Zable, anyway.
Not only did their recent report cite the rent prices going up even before the cost of living crisis – essentially following the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak – but if their figures, the rate of inflation and the unwaveringly high demand for housing are anything to go by, this trajectory is likely to continue in 2026.
As of February this year, around one in three UK households is now a single-person occupancy, which already comes with its challenges (the Manchester City Council tax discount being a thin lifeline for countless), not to mention energy bills and the cost of groceries continuing on an upwards trend.
Put in the simplest and most reductive terms, it’s now almost £300 dearer for most people to live on their own than it was back in 2020, and besides Liverpool clocking in as second on the list of increasingly expensive cities to live (a 42.12% increase), Manchester came in third.
You can see the full table down below:
Rank
City
% increase – 2020-2025
Difference from 2020 to 2025 in £
Average rental cost for a 1 bed 2025
1
Newport
47.39%
£2,611
£8,121
2
Liverpool
42.12%
£2,290
£7,727
3
Manchester
41.00%
£3,364
£11,569
4
Edinburgh
40.28%
£4,620
£16,090
5
Leicester
39.93%
£2,391
£8,379
6
Wolverhampton
39.22%
£2,049
£7,273
7
Nottingham
39.07%
£2,400
£8,543
8
Glasgow
38.02%
£2,679
£9,725
9
Colchester
37.63%
£2,617
£9,572
10
Cardiff
37.06%
£2,828
Average rental cost for a 1-bed 2025
Another fear is that with lots of people finding it hard to manage living in other major cities like London, even those moving to Manchester are also having an impact on how available affordable housing is here.
That’s why schemes such as the new ‘social rent’ development over in Wythenshawe are so important to the current generations of renters, with the possibility of owning your own property in the future becoming increasingly difficult for so many.
It’s also worth noting that Manchester ranked fourth among the British locations where the cost of living is said to have increased the most over the past five years, with the average difference in annual spend growing by an estimated 22.84%.
Inside the £1.3m Bolton gatehouse considered a ‘remarkable’ piece of local history
Emily Sergeant
A magnificent Grade II-listed gatehouse in an affluent area of Bolton has gone on the market, and it’s your chance to own a piece of local history.
You will need a small matter of £1.3 million before you’re able to call it yours, though.
Now, as we always say before we write about these stunning homes, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have this kind of money just sitting in bank accounts right now… but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.
This is Lostock Hall Gatehouse – a breathtaking Grade II-listed residence that’s believed to date back to the late sixteenth century.
Tucked away in ‘complete seclusion’ in the sought-after Bolton area of Lostock – which is known and loved by families thanks to its varied housing options, excellent local schools, convenient transport links, and proximity to amenities including Middlebrook Retail Park – this extraordinary five-bedroom link detached property is described as being ‘rich’ in heritage and architectural significance.
The home has been thoughtfully enhanced over time to introduce refined features for modern life, all while preserving plenty of original features.
Set behind imposing electric gates and nestled on a plot of just under three quarters of an acre, Lostock Hall Gatehouse is divided into two detached buildings, which estate agents say offers ‘unparalleled’ versatility for multi-generational living, business use, leisure space, or even guest accommodation.
This is the impressive Lostock Hall Gatehouse in Bolton / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The main residence is packed with bags of character – think an original stone frontage, charming mullion windows, feature fireplaces, exposed beams, expansive rooms, and so much more.
Some of the other stand-out features in the main house include two impressive reception rooms, a beautifully presented country-style kitchen, and five large bedrooms arranged over two floors.
A short walk from the main residence stands a substantial two-storey detached building, which is in need of some refurbishment for sure, but estate agents say it presents exceptional potential and flexibility for a wide variety of uses.
It’s currently on the market for £1.3 million / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
Just as you’d expect, the outside of the Lostock Hall Gatehouse is almost an impressive as the inside, as it boasts manicured lawns and gardens stretching beautifully across the plot and designed to be enjoyed in every season.
The large private driveway also provides off-road parking for several vehicles.
This property is currently on the market with the Bolton branch of local estate agency chain, Miller Metcalfe, for £1.3 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy at the Rightmove link here.
The Manc -
14th July 2020 
