Manchester has a long history as a major hub for business – and it remains a city where many different types of organisations are able to thrive.
This is highlighted by figures from the Office for National Statistics, quoted by the city council, which found there were more than 22,000 different enterprises operating in the local area in 2019.
A host of industries can be found in the city, but one which has enjoyed plenty of success in recent decades is the iGaming sector.
A new level of success
While gambling has been intrinsically linked with offline activities like heading to a casino or a bookmaker in the past, the move online has pushed the industry to an extraordinary level of success.
A report published by Grand View Research in April found that the global online gambling market – which includes sports betting, casinos and bingo – was worth more than $53 billion in 2019. The industry shows no signs of slowing down either, with predictions that revenues will hit $127 billion by 2027.
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The sector has become hugely competitive, with a host of brands going up against each other to stand out and attract new members. Promotions have become a key tool in such battles, while many sites also offer a wide selection of games to keep players engaged in their services.
For instance, casino online brand Betfair explains how it offers access to a range of experiences, including casino table games, slots and so-called arcade betting games like scratch cards. Live casino games are also becoming common, with dealers hosting events via a high-definition video stream.
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Notable industry links
Manchester has a number of links to the ever-growing world of iGaming, with major industry names like SBC having offices in the city.
The company describes itself as a news and events organisation involved in the development of the betting and gaming industry, helping to arrange some of the biggest dates in the sector’s calendar. This includes events such as CasinoBeats Malta – a conference which apparently plays host to more than 1,500 attendees.
Our city’s links to the industry extend far beyond events, however – with Manchester also home to companies which are actively involved in creating games for the sector.
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One key name based is Northern Lights Gaming, which produces video slots for the European market.
The brand – which also has an office in Stockholm – enjoyed a strong start to 2020 after it secured strategic investment from Velo Partners through the games accelerator RNG Foundry.
In a statement, Northern Lights CEO Andrew Goodale said the agreement would help the business grow and give it access to both expertise and a “fantastic industry network”.
A home in the city
Manchester has always had a strong reputation as a location for business, so it is perhaps not a huge surprise that major names in the hugely successful world of iGaming have settled comfortably in the city.
The sector has enjoyed plenty of success in recent years and, with this expected to continue, it will be interesting to see whether its presence in Manchester continues to grow.
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Pubs in Greater Manchester are giving out free pints… of crisps
Emily Sergeant
A handful of pubs across Greater Manchester are handing out free pints this month, but with a bit of a catch.
The catch being it’s a free pint of crisps.
With January in full swing, and many people generally choosing to give up or cut back on their alcohol consumption in the spirit of Dry January, the nation’s most popular crisps brand, Walkers, has launched a brand-new ‘Pack Our Pubs’ initiative, which is aiming to help people stick to their sober goals while supporting pubs during what is typically their toughest month of the year.
Sadly, statistics showed that more than 400 pubs closed their doors last year, and those remaining are currently dealing with what’s thought to be the driest January yet – with 15.5 million people claiming they’d be taking a break from alcohol for the month.
Pubs in Greater Manchester are giving out free pints… of crisps / Credit: Flickr | Esperanza Doronila (via Unsplash)
On top of that, new research has also showed that, even if not giving up alcohol, more than a third of adults (36%) said they’ll avoid the pub altogether as they’re “trying to be good” this month and focus on their health.
Which is why Walkers is offering an alternative at hundreds of pubs nationwide.
Anyone who heads to their local pub and orders an alcohol-free pint this month will also get a pack of Walkers crisps from the ‘Better For You’ range chucked in for free, including popular varieties such as Walkers Baked, Walkers 45% Less Salt, Snack a Jacks, Popworks, and Sunbites.
300+ pubs across the UK will be giving out a ‘free pint’ of 0.0% crisps away with any non-alcoholic drink order.
Speaking on the initiative, Cynthia Finke, who is Marketing Director at Walkers’ parent company, PepsiCo, said : The beauty of our Better For You range means that no one has to miss out on the things they enjoy in January, like snacks.
“It’s much easier to stick to your goals if you’re able to have fun at the same time, and being able to support the pub industry at the same time is a bonus to boot.”
You just need to head to your nearest participating pub, including Stonegate Proper Pubs, all throughout January to support your local and enjoy a free pint of crisps.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Londoner ‘bewildered’ by first visit to Trafford Centre, comparing it to ‘Tutankhamun’s secret lair’
Daisy Jackson
A man visiting the Trafford Centre for the first time has said he’s been left ‘bewildered’ by the huge Greater Manchester shopping destination.
In a hilarious video titled ‘the least tired shopping centre in the UK’, vlogger and content creator MC said that the retail giant looks like ‘Tutankhamun’s secret lair’.
In the TikTok post, he films himself walking around the shops slack-jawed saying he feels ‘like I’m in Dubai or something’.
Us Mancs who have grown up going to the Trafford Centre probably forget how out-of-the-ordinary it actually is, from the food court that looks like a cruise ship to the palm trees to the fountains to the marble-esque pillars.
MC spends a bit of time ogling at the fountains, comparing the benches to a ‘throne’, and even stroking the plants to see if they’re real (they are).
He also said that the Trafford Centre has made it ‘unfair’ for the other shopping centres, setting the bar too high.
He said: “Now Manchester, I can’t like, I feel like you owe us, and by us I mean the rest of the UK, an explanation. Because why does your shopping centre look like this, bro? What?!
“Bro I’m absolutely bewildered, this is like I’m in Dubai or something bro.
“Like bro you can’t tell me this don’t look like Tutankhamun’s lair has moved all the way up to the north bro.
“Why don’t we have nowt like this in London? I’m telling you right now, try going to a shopping centre in London, you’ll find Westfield, Stratford.
“Sat on this bench in the middle of the shopping centre, looking at this, I feel like I’m on a throne.
“Is no one else seeing this? They have a waterfall in the middle of a shopping centre, this is not normal behaviour!
“These trees, they’re all real you know! It’s all in real soil.
“They did too much when they made this shopping centre, come on, this is unfair for the rest of them.”
At the end of the TikTok, he spots the Trafford Palazzo – home to Primark as well as attractions like Archie’s Atomic roller rink and the NERF Experience, and says: “Bro and I’m not even done! There’s even another shopping centre! Now what is this place?!”
One person commented: “trafford centre and is just pure nostalgia to me, titanic food court, twinkling stars in the ceiling, dolphin fountain, i remember being a kid when it was being built and being like, bruh.”
Another wrote: “Trafford centre has no right being as good as it is and we’re not even mentioning the fact that it has a cruise themed food court or that a giant waterpark is being built next door.”
Someone else said: “The Trafford Centre fr the reason every other shopping centre is dying i swear.”
Do you remember your first trip to the Trafford Centre?
The Manc -
24th June 2020 
