New research has revealed who the real “winners and losers” were during Greater Manchester’s unprecedented property boom in 2020.
Bryn, Radcliffe, Cadishead, Hulme and Moss Side have all emerged as some of the hottest areas in the region, according to data compiled by Manchester-based conveyancing specialist JMW Solicitors LLP.
By comparing Google Trends data from July 2019 to July 2020, JMW found that searches for homes for sale in Bryn – a sought-after area of Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan – had increased by 179%, from 140 to a whopping 390.
Radcliffe (132%), Cadishead (125%), Hulme (100%) and Moss Side (100%) all showed similar increases, as the property market surged following the first lockdown.
Bryn – a sought-after area of Ashton-in-Makerfield in Wigan – tops the list / Credit: JMW Solicitors LLP
“The unprecedented impact and disruption of the coronavirus pandemic on all aspects of life has resulted in many people choosing to re-evaluate their priorities.” said Andrew Garvie, Head of Real Estate Residential from JMW Solicitors LLP.
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“With more people spending more time indoors than ever before due to the lockdown, it’s little wonder that thousands of families have chosen to change their living arrangements.
“Greater Manchester was no exception to the property market boom that was noted across the UK after the first lockdown, with thousands of searches carried out among prospective homeowners looking to relocate.”
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“Thousands of families have chosen to change their living arrangements.” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
While the vast majority of areas across Greater Manchester recorded an increase in demand amid the national property market boom, others have seen their popularity dwindle, with Google searches for properties in some areas remaining stagnant despite the lift.
Aspull, Rusholme, Northenden and Kearsley each gained the same number of searches in July 2019 as they did in July 2020, meaning they experienced 0% growth amid the busier period.
The good news is that nowhere in Greater Manchester, where data was available, experienced a reduction in popularity during this time.
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Andrew Garvie added: “While it is interesting to see that many more urban spots, including the usually popular Fallowfield, saw no growth following the first lockdown of 2020, we are seeing a rise in people moving to the outskirts of the city, possibly in search of a quieter life with more outdoor space.
“The pandemic certainly brought about a shift in the type of properties people were searching for, and we can only expect this quest for larger homes with gardens in quieter spots to continue well into the future.”
Nowhere in Greater Manchester experienced a reduction in popularity / Credit: JMW Solicitors LLP
Looking at the situation nationally, house prices across the UK hit record highs in 2020, despite the economic downturn as a result of widespread restrictions.
According to Halifax’s mortgage-tracking index, house prices increased by 7.6% in the year to November 2020, while Nationwide’s index pointed to a 6.5% rise and similarly, Rightmove estimated that asking prices had jumped up by 6.6% in the 12 months to December.
The Office for National Statistics’ transaction data also pinpointed a 5.4% increase to October.
Much-loved Manc music shop Tasty Records goes up for sale as owners calls on next custodians to take over local favourite
Danny Jones
Much-loved Greater Manchester record and music store Tasty Records has officially closed, and the current custodian is putting the Trafford institution up for sale in hopes that someone will take over as worthy successors.
What an opportunity for any budding entrepreneurs.
The Alty record shop in its current brick-and-mortar form has stood for some time now, but popular owner Ben Molesworth has been selling physical media from 2012 onwards, and now his time at the helm of the hailed south Manchester spot has come to a somewhat bittersweet end.
A bit of a local legend with regulars who frequent and flick through his coveted vinyl collection, not just on Record Store Day but throughout the year, the area will be sad to see him go – and so will we – but it doesn’t mean this has to be the end.
“The shop deserves more than I can give it, and I have sold records in Altrincham for 14 years”, he explains, before going on to add that “It’s time for me to concentrate on different things.
“What happens now?” he continues, “Keep following! I’m not sure yet. I have closed the doors, but everything is still there… A busy website, Discogs, socials, a strong set of accounts and £ks of great vinyl stock.”
You’d think with a sales pitch like that, it would be a no-brainer for audiophiles who’ve ever dreamt of spending their days cataloguing their favourite tunes and artists, whilst providing a still criminally unsung public service: delivering printed music to the masses.
With more than a decade and a half of experience to his name, we’re sure Ben has plenty of wisdom to impart about how to take good care of his baby moving forward – he just needs some to set up to the plate/turntable.
As saturated as the Manc music market and record store scene is, it was also comfortably on this list pretty much since day one.
All that being said, part of the challenge for any independent business is getting the word out, hence why we thought we’d help do our bit by shouting about it.
He signed off by adding: “Thank you to all of my wonderful customers, friends and supporters. Tasty Recordsisn’t dead, only sleeping. Lots of love, Ben.”
For anyone who might fancy taking over this “awesome little record shop” (his words AND ours), you can express your interest/table an offer over email via [email protected].
What an honour it would be to carry on this place’s legacy – here’s hoping someone takes up the mantle soon.
Manchester City Council green-light new venue at Medlock Square, with Mamma Mia! The Party to open the immersive space
Danny Jones
The smash-hit ‘Mamma Mia: The Party’ is set to land in Manchester next year as the maiden event of another brand-new space set to open as part of the upcoming Medlock Square development.
Etihad Campus has seen a lot of moving pieces over the past few years, be it the building of Co-op Live, the ongoing expansion of Man City’s home ground, the soon-to-launch hotel attached to the stadium and now Medlock.
But those in control of the land are content with stopping there; this looks to be just the start of a whole new evolution for the East Manchester area, with an as yet untitled new immersive arts, experience and events venue also set to join the new slate of projects.
You see another glimpse of the purpose-built mini arena, of sorts, down below.
With plans having now been approved by the City Council, the ‘immersive’ space will be situated between the Etihad, Co-op Live and Medlock Square itself, holding up to 600 guests per performance.
Currently set to open in late 2027, following the rest of the square’s launch window being fully rolled out, we still don’t know the name of this next addition, but the structure itself will dovetail with the surrounding buildings and areas as part of seasonal activations, live shows and sports screenings, as well as pop-ups, brand collaborations and more.
Looping back, the interactive, multimedia extravaganza that is ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’ will finally be making its Manc debut as part of the 10th anniversary of the all-singing, all-dancing and even all-dining in-demand production.
As per an official press release from the Medlock Square media team, the show will combine “live music, theatre, food and storytelling” and “offer visitors an unforgettable night out.”
The original UK production at The O2 in London has now surpassed more than 1,500 performances, with a total of 700k guests attending these shows in 110 countries across the globe. Safe to say it’s rather popular.
As for Medlock Square and the surrounding Etihad Campus, Manchester City supporters have also been given another look at the soon-to-open, immersive hotel tie-in experience.
With a skywalk, rooftop bar, a new MCFC shop and various other bits set to spill out onto Medlock Square, it all feels like a period of wholesale changes over in the blue half of the city – especially with the football club bidding farewell to their manager Pep Guardiola after more than a decade.
Following the new and improved North Stand being named after him in the first of many tributes, the City Football Group (CFG) are also set to commission a statue in his honour over the coming months.
Meanwhile, Medlock Square is also due to open later this year, although an official completion date has not been confirmed.
You can stay up to date with all the latest on Mamma Mia! The Part’s Manchester shows right HERE.
Not forgetting a brand-new women’s football facility, too, there is so much stuff going on over at the Etihad that it can be hard to keep track, but here’s the latest look at some of the rooms set to feature in the hotel of the same name.
Emily Sergeant -
27th May 2021 
