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October 14, 2025

UK Property Market / Manchester

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The BRIT Awards began back in 1977, originally as a celebration of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. Nowadays, it’s the UK’s highest-profile music awards ceremony. It’s been held in the capital ever since; however, it is now making its move to the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester.

The very first award was handed to The Beatles for their Outstanding Contribution to Music, a band well known for their northern heritage. Now, almost half a century later, the show will be hosted in Manchester.

“Manchester has such a rich musical heritage and it has a fantastic ecosystem of support there on the ground, including lots of amazing grassroots venues.”

– Dr Jo Twist, CEO of the BPI (BBC)

Co-Op Live opened in Manchester in May 2024; more than 100 shows took place in the first 12 months of opening. Oak View Group and City Football Group were two key investors in the venue, along with Harry Styles, who himself holds 13 BRIT Awards.

It received huge praise for its design – Liam Gallagher even compared the sound systems to New York City’s Madison Square Garden – pledging over £1 million to the Co-Op Foundation, which helps to create healthy, safe, inclusive communities and offer them new opportunities. They’ve also donated to other causes such as Happy Doggo, Liam Gallagher’s chosen charity.

In February 2026, the BRIT Awards will be held at Co-Op Live for the first time, and again in 2027, marking the end of 15 consecutive years at the O2 Arena in London.

Just down the road from the Co-Op Live arena, along the canal towards the city centre, sits Brunswick Mill – another unmissable talking point for the British music scene. What was once one of the largest working mills in Manchester became an iconic rehearsal studio and filming location, used by the likes of Liam Gallagher, Louis Tomlinson, and even Netflix and Disney+.

The BRIT Awards aren’t the only show making the move – it’s becoming a regular trend, with Manchester gaining more and more popularity and its undeniable growth as a city in recent years.

The MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) were held at Co-Op Live in November last year, and many others are also following this trend, such as the PFA Awards, MOBO Awards, and the British Soap Awards. It’s clear that Manchester is much more than ‘The Capital of the North’ – it’s a number-one pick for location.

Why Manchester?

It’s no surprise that major events are turning their attention north. Manchester has long been at the heart of British culture, from the birth of The Smiths and Oasis to the thriving creative and digital scenes we see today. The city’s reputation for innovation continues to evolve, and now, it’s translating into some of the biggest events choosing to call it home.

The opening of Co-Op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, completed the checklist for Manchester. Purpose-built for live entertainment and located right next to the Etihad Campus, it’s helping to transform Manchester into a global events destination. Add in the city’s extensive transport links, impressive hotel pipeline, and rapidly expanding skyline, and it’s clear why organisers are choosing Manchester over London.

But it’s not just about the venues. Manchester’s culture, affordability and dedicated growth plans are all assisting with the growth in popularity. With record levels of inward investment, a growing population of young professionals and graduates, and major regeneration projects underway, the city is no longer the underdog; it’s the frontrunner.

From football to festivals, property to pop culture, Manchester’s growth story is the biggest we’ve ever seen. Hosting the BRIT Awards is simply the latest milestone in a city that continues to prove it’s capable of playing on the world stage.

Invest in Manchester

Manchester isn’t just attracting world-class events, it’s attracting world-class investment. The city’s transformation over the last decade has been remarkable, driven by billions in regeneration, new infrastructure, and a thriving population of young professionals.

From landmark developments, like Co-Op Live, and the ongoing regeneration of East Manchester to major transport upgrades, the city continues to grow faster than almost anywhere else in the UK.

For investors, that means opportunity. Strong rental demand, impressive capital growth, and one of the highest graduate retention rates outside London make Manchester a consistent top performer for property investment.

As more global attention turns north, the appeal of living, and investing, in Manchester has never been stronger.

Start your investment journey today with Orlando Reid Invest.