Destination Information
Car parking in Manchester will cost between £12 - £16.50 per 24 hours, please click here for a map.
Alternatively if you are staying at the Midland Hotel a valet service is offered for £20 per 24 hours - please contact the hotel directly for this service.
Manchester – now and the future
In 2008 Manchester will be able to add a new world class conference venue to it’s portfolio, with outstanding facilities and a revolutionary design. The SCAN Building, on Oxford Road, at the heart of The University of Manchester campus, will feature a 1,100 seat semi-circular auditorium, over 500 square meters of exhibition space and over 20 seminar rooms. It will be the largest centre within a conference centre environment and will provide a welcome addition to the city’s existing resources.
Manchester’s fantastic visitor product will take on a unique twist in 2007 with the inaugural Manchester International Festival. This flagship event within Manchester’s events calendar will be the world’s first international festival of original new work created by leading artists from across the spectrum of credible popular culture, innovation and the arts. Many of the Festival's productions and events will world premiere in the city before touring to other international destinations, such as Paris, New York and Berlin.
The Manchester International Festival aims to build on the legacy of the hugely successful Commonwealth Games held in 2002, celebrating the city's pivotal role in music, culture, innovation and the arts. The aim is for the festival to become a major cultural event in the international calendar, encouraging local, national and international visitors to Manchester. This original new product will bring with it a fresh interest in the City and encourage further development and expansions that will impact on the region for several years to come.
Manchester certainly has the necessary infrastructure in place to support the city as a thriving business destination. The Northwest is one of the largest economic regions outside of London, which is reflected in the size of Manchester’s International Airport. The airport is the UK’s third largest, the principal gateway to the Northwest and forecasts an anticipated growth of 40 million passengers by 2015 and 50 million by 2030. The Airport has recently published details of its development plans for the next 25 years as it aims to become one of the leading 21st Century Airports in the world.
As the eighth busiest in Europe for international traffic, Manchester Airport is less than one hours flight from London, six hours from New York and within two hours of most European capitals. Vistiors can arrive in Manchester from over 200 destinations including over 40 top European destinations such as Berlin, Munich, Stockholm, Rome and Madrid.
Manchester’s Metrolink is a modern public transport success story, serving the city centre and suburbs. Running from Altincham in the South to Bury in the North and Eccles in the West, the Metrolink system welcomes 52,000 passeners everyday. The fast and frequent service conveniently runs through the exhibition and convention district, while the G-MEX/MICC has its own dedicated stop. Supporting the Metrolink is Manchester’s free city centre bus service, the Metroshuttle. The three circular routes cover all areas within the centre and operate every 5-10 minutes.
Manchester can offer much more if you travel a short distance away from the city centre. From the tranquil Cheshire plains to the rolling hills of the Pennines and the bustling markets towns, there is a range of backdrops for all types of events.
The Quays is Greater Manchester's stunning waterfront destination, situated just 15 minutes by tram from Manchester city centre and an ideal destination conference and business tourism, together with a wonderful area for a day out or weekend break. The Quays is home to some of Greater Manchester’s most architectually stunning attractions, including the Lowry, the Imperial War Museum North and Old Trafford.
The Lowry is a world class visual and performaing arts centre and an established conference and events venue. Winner of the Business Tourism Award at the 2006 Manchester Tourism Awards, the Lowry offers a fantastic range of modern and inspirational spaces including the Lyric Theatre, the Compass Room and the Studio.
The Imperial War Museum North is an exciting and versatile venue for events and corportate hospitality. Designed by world renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, its striking aluminium clad structure provides an innovative and inspiring venue. The main exhibtion area is ready to impress, with iconic images and artefacts, along with 10 metre, blank angled that walls create the perfect backdrop for colour and projection.
Events of all sizes will find a home in Greater Manchester. The Hat Works in Stockport is the only museum dedicated to the hatting industry. Bolton’s Albert Halls are steeped in history and are in the heart of the town’s ongoing Cultural Quarter developments. From relaxing settings such as Bredbury Hall, to live action world class sporting arenas, the Greater Manchester districts are the perfect sites to simply get away from it all.
Facts about Manchester
Up and Atom! Manchester Firsts
Shaker-makers! Manchester Originals