UKREiiF | Manchester seeks to galvanise with London

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, welcomed guests to the shared Manchester-London pavilion at the real estate and investment show in Leeds with a plea to end the political fighting between North and South.

Craig said: “I think we live in an era too often, where it’s easy to pitch North versus South. It’s easy to pitch Manchester versus London…where it’s too easy for politicians to knock London.

“We have to galvanise around that clear message that the two fastest growing largest city region economies in our country are what’s going to power and drive UK social and economic prosperity.” The Manchester delegation has all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs represented among its 25 partners. Craig namechecked a selection of the projects being promoted this week: Mix Manchester at the airport, Holt Town, St Johns, ID Manchester, regeneration in Salford and Wigan.

Craig added: “The UK needs a strong London, Manchester needs a strong London, but we also need a country that can rebalance our economy. To make sure that the economic opportunities we’re creating in Manchester can be lived across every town and city.”

Craig hoped investors would take away the message that there remains capacity for growth for at least the next 10 to 15 years in Greater Manchester.

UKREiiF is taking place this week at Leeds Docks, with around 13,000 people in attendance. Craig was speaking alongside Shravan Joshi, planning and transportation committee chairman, City of London.

Place North is media partner for Manchester at UKREiiF.