Manchester’s regeneration model should serve as the blueprint for national redevelopment, according to specialist lender Together and entrepreneur Gary Neville, who have urged the government to back regional investment with renewed infrastructure funding and access to finance for small businesses.
At an event hosted by Together at St Michael’s – Neville’s flagship mixed-use development in central Manchester – more than 200 SME owners, property investors and entrepreneurs gathered to discuss the city’s transformation and the policies needed to sustain its momentum.
Chris Baguley (main picture, right), managing director of corporate lending at Together, said Manchester’s resurgence was proof that targeted private investment can deliver long-term prosperity.
POWERING PROGRESS
“Manchester’s skyline has transformed over recent decades on the back of private investment delivering a resurgence of the city centre which has, in turn, prompted employment by two and a half times the annual growth rate,” he said.
Baguley highlighted the role of specialist lenders in enabling growth.
“£2.6bn of the £3bn that Together provided in lending over the last financial year supported commercial clients, with a significant proportion of that figure backing businesses in Manchester and Stockport,” he said.
“Our commitment to powering progress across the region is undeniable, and it’s the vision of entrepreneurs like Gary and many of those gathered here that can help bring prosperity to cities across the UK.”
CHALLENGING MARKET
Neville (main picture, left), whose Relentless Group is behind a string of high-profile developments including St Michael’s, said the cost environment for British businesses had become increasingly challenging.
“Running a business in the UK has never been tougher.”
“Running a business in the UK has never been tougher,” he said. “The rising costs of products, utilities, and rents are putting real pressure on companies of all sizes.
“I’ve seen first-hand how much harder it’s become to grow and employ people. That’s why having the right finance in place at the start is important – and having a finance partner that understands your vision.”
REMARKABLE RESILIENCE
Baguley added that Manchester’s performance underlined the case for continued investment in northern growth.
“The North has shown remarkable resilience and ambition over the past decade, with its cities, particularly Manchester, driving some of the fastest economic growth in the country,” he said.
“But to sustain that momentum, we need renewed commitment to investment and infrastructure that matches the scale of our ambition.
“Private and public sectors must work in tandem to ensure investment flows into the projects that will genuinely transform communities and attract long-term growth. The North has the talent, the vision and the appetite – now it’s about giving it the tools to reach its full potential.”
DRIVING FORWARD
Attendees included leading figures from the Manchester property and business sectors such as Adam Heaton, Heaton Group; Adam Higgins, Capital and Centric; Ollie Casson, Landwood Group and Stephen Ashworth, Hurstwood Holdings as well as other pioneers driving the region forward.
On the night, Chris Baguley presented Gary with his induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame (main picture), recognising his ambition both on and off the pitch.
Jon K Bell, clinical director of The Christie Charity was presented with a £10,000 donation by Together’s CEO of sales and distribution Marc Goldberg following nominations from attending guests.
