When businesses and people love a city, property investors should, too
When I first started investing in property, it was because it made such good sense to do so. Control over your investment, great rental income, fantastic capital gains and the benefits from leveraging are among the reasons why investing in property beats all other investments. To capitalise from all these huge benefits, all you need to do is buy in the best places to invest in property UK.
Our latest research shows that Manchester is a city that offers enormous potential to the property investor, and could be an incredible place to invest in property.
Manchester – where incredible demand is set to outstrip supply for years
Manchester is benefitting from huge investment into regeneration and new development, but, even so, the demand for property here outweighs supply. Recently, this imbalance has its roots in a shortfall of new homebuilding during and immediately after the Global Financial Crisis and Great Recession, and the explosion in demand for city centre properties. In Manchester – the city at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse project and High-Speed Rail infrastructure spending – this demand is higher than most other cities in the UK.
Manchester’s city centre population is forecast to grow by 125,000 by the mid-2020s. Yet there are only around 11,000 new homes planned for completion by 2023. Demand looks set to outstrip supply in the city centre quarters for many years.
Manchester is incredible for business
For people to be attracted to a city, there must be jobs available. This means businesses must also find the city attractive. Manchester – like its football teams – is top of the league.
There are more than 20,000 new graduates who remain here after qualifying each year. They stay partly because of the incredible job opportunities here, with companies expanding in Manchester partly because of the access to incredible talent: it’s a virtuous circle of job creation and fulfilment.
Most of the UK’s top companies have international, national or regional offices here. There are also 50 international banks in Manchester, and the city is home to one of the fastest growing science and technology hubs in Europe.
However, the talent of prospective employees – The University of Manchester is one of the elite Russell Group universities, and has produced 25 Nobel Prize Winners – is not the only reason businesses love the city.
Manchester is an incredibly well-connected city
Manchester has incredible transport infrastructure, which is set to improve further in the coming years. The city’s three train stations transport passengers to and from all areas of the local region, as well as other cities including Liverpool and Sheffield. When High-Speed rail services start, travel times to London will be halved.
The road network links into the national motorway network, providing easy access to all of the UK by road for freight and people.
And Manchester Airport – one of the UK’s busiest – provides an entry and exit point for international visitors from Europe and the rest of the world.
The transport infrastructure in and around Manchester is great for business, and for residents. But, of course, people don’t choose to live somewhere only because of work and transport options.
Manchester is an incredible place to live
Manchester has been named as the UK’s best place to live in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index for 2018.
Living in the city of Manchester, residents are a short walk away from incredible shopping, leisure and nightlife, while being a stone’s throw away from incredible countryside such as the Peak District.
In the city, you’ll find amazing galleries and museums (including Museum of the Year 2015, the Whitworth Art Gallery), a vibrant music and theatre scene, and, of course, two of the world’s largest and most famous football clubs.
Whether you wish to watch a show at the Palace Theatre, take in local music in venues that have given birth to world-renowned artists such as The Smiths and Oasis, or watch Manchester United take on the best in England and Europe, there is something to suit all tastes here. And talking about taste, we haven’t even mentioned some of the best restaurants in England, and an eclectic mix of bars, bistros, cafés and restaurants yet.
Thanks to hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2002, the city has world-class sporting facilities including the National Squash Centre, the Manchester Velodrome, and the Manchester Regional Arena.
Shoppers are spoilt for choice, with street markets, independent boutique shops, and the Trafford Centre and Arndale shopping centres providing for all retail therapy needs.
Summing up
Manchester’s regeneration continues to gather pace, with billions being poured into the city. It’s a magnet for business and people, and the job creation prospects are possibly the best in the UK. Voted the UK’s most desirable place to live, Manchester offers residents everything they could wish for. With great transport connections and access to an extremely highly qualified workforce, Manchester is an attractive destination for businesses.
Capital appreciation and rental yields are strong here, and likely to remain so as the population continues to expand and demand for new homes outstrips supply. People and businesses love Manchester, and this makes it incredible for property investors.
Contact one of the Gladfish team today on +44 207 923 6100, and discover incredible property investment opportunities in Manchester.
Live with passion,
Brett Alegre-Wood
