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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Cruz Beckham and The Breakers live in Manchester – a torch passed from father to son?
Lonnie Bowes
Cruz Beckham graced the stage of The Deaf Institute in Manchester last night. Whether it’s your first time through the doors or you’ve been going for years, the venue carries an unmistakable energyand always will.
With a feel and set in its Victorian past, unmistakable Mancunian patina, the building leaves a mark on you – and on every grassroots artist who plays there.
The intimate upstairs room has long been a springboard for acts who go on to much bigger stages. History certainly likes to repeat itself, and perhaps this was a small sign of things to come for the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham.
With his dad watching from the wings – fittingly in a number seven shirt synonymous with his years at Man United – Cruz stepped onto the stage with quiet confidence. For the next hour, he set his sights firmly on the crowd, eager to show exactly who he is as an artist beyond the famous surname.
Backed by a tight band that seemed to fit together like a glove, the set leaned into guitar-driven indie with an easy chemistry between players.
There were moments where the group locked into a groove, so naturally, it felt less like a new project and more like a band that had been touring together for years.
Cruz and co’s audience reflected the curiosity surrounding the night; inside the packed room was an eclectic mix of indie fans, university students, couples of all ages and a fair share of Beckham devotees – all keen to see whether the hype surrounding the young performer translated on stage.
The 21-year-old ran through his most popular (albeit limited number of) tracks thus far, including ‘Lick the Toad’, ‘Optics’, and ‘For Your Love’, each of which was met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
His songs showed off a good deal of melodic indie sensibility, with jangling guitars and hooks that landed well in the intimate setting of the venue.
While Cruz held the stage, there were emotional moments playing out just above him. Throughout the set, David Beckham could be spotted proudly filming and what appeared to be FaceTiming other family members to share the moment in real time. We’re not sure Brooklyn’s picking up at the minute…
Toward the end of the night, visibly moved, the former footballer appeared to wipe away a tear — a quiet but powerful reminder that beyond the celebrity and headlines, this was still a father watching his son manifest his own destiny.
For Cruz Beckham, the night wasn’t about stadium lights or global headlines: it was about proving himself in a room that has hosted literally countless emerging artists before him. If the energy inside Deaf Institute was anything to go by, this may well be one of those early chapters people look back on later.
Did any of you head to the venue as a fan or purely out of curiosity – and if so, what did you make of Cruz Beckham’s first proper Manc gig?
Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
The Manc -
24th June 2020 
