Manchester
Manchester is a truly contemporary metropolis with beautiful historic buildings standing side-by-side with modern landmark buildings. The city has recently undergone one of the most ambitious urban regeneration projects to be undertaken in Britain. With a population of 2.5 million, excellent shopping and sports and great business links, this is one of the most impressive areas to work and live in the country. At present, 80 of the UK's top 100 companies operate out of the city, making it a leading legal hotspot.
Since holding the Commonwealth Games in 2002, Manchester has taken a pride in all it has to offer. Accommodation is of the highest standard and the city is now being likened to capitals like Madrid and Paris. Manchester's shopping is superb with everything you would expect of London and more - designers like Vuitton, Vivienne Westwood and Armani grace the city centre with ease. Eating out offers a huge range of opportunities whether it is the pavement cafes for laid back city lunches or gourmet meals cooked by celebrity chefs like Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White, Manchester can cater for your needs. The city is also proud to be home to the largest Chinatown in Britain.
Those in search of culture can take advantage of many art museums like The Lowry, or visit the Royal Exchange Theatre to take in a show. If it's the outdoors that appeals, aside from the many public squares and parks in the city, Manchester is also within easy distance of the Lake District.
Sports lovers can enjoy the finest teams right on their doorstep. For the football fans there is Manchester United or City. Rugby fans can follow Sale Sharks and cricket fans have Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Manchester is ideally situated as a centre for visiting the rest of Britain such as the Lake District, Chester and York, and of course London and the south.
* Local information supplied by Taylor Root