Manchester gears up for new millennium with major projects

MANCHESTER (JP): Many people frequently associate Manchester with Britain's soccer club -- Manchester United -- due to its outstanding achievements in British and European soccer championships.

But does soccer constitute the most important thing in Manchester?

Of course not. Soccer is only one of the city's wide range of plus factors. The city itself is billed as the commercial, financial, educational and cultural capital of the United Kingdom's largest economic region outside London.

It is claimed that the city pioneered free trade, economic liberalism and the cooperative movement. It is now an international city region of some 2.56 million people.

Situated in the center of the city's major road and rail networks, it offers easy access to and across the region.

Manchester is gearing up for the new millennium with a number of major infrastructure projects, according to Lis Phelan, deputy chief executive of Marketing Manchester.

"A 48,000 seater stadium is the centerpiece of the new Sportcity development which will embrace the velodrome, an indoor tennis center and a sports academy dedicated to nurturing young sporting talent across the North West of England," she said.

Manchester's city center is being remodeled with a new civic square which will link the city's historic heart to the shops; a new city park; the Urbis Center -- an attraction which will focus on the city's history and the role of cities worldwide; and the Printworks -- an imaginative entertainment center, she said.

The Lowry, the national landmark millennium project for the arts, a complex which will house the Lowry collection, two theaters and an interactive children's gallery, is scheduled to open in spring 2000, she said.

"Other projects include the construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool and diving complex as well as the world's largest Marks & Spencer which is scheduled to open next year," she said

The city has the largest UK regional business services sector with over 60 banks, 40 of which are from overseas, according to data of the Marketing Manchester.

Eighty of the Financial Times Top 100 companies operate in the city, which is also the base for 28 overseas consular or trade offices, Phelan said.

Venture capital in North West England is ranked in Europe's top five -- equal to Spain, Belgium, Norway and Switzerland combined, she said.

"It is also an area of innovation supported by four internationally regarded universities with excellent track records in research and development."

Sport is a way of life in Manchester with five international venues among nearly 500 sports facilities. The city is home to eight major soccer teams, including Manchester United which has fans across the globe, seven rugby teams and over 90 golf courses.

The city regularly stages international sports events, including the 1996 European Football Championships, the 1997 World Table Tennis Championships and the 1998 World Masters Cycling.

New sports in which the city excels include basketball (Manchester Giants) and ice hockey (Manchester Storm).

Manchester, which has more theaters per head than anywhere else in Britain, is a melting pot of innovation and ideas with arts and culture being an integral part of everyday life, she said.

Major theaters in the city include the Royal Exchange Theater, the Green Room and the Library Theater.

The Bridgewater Hall, one of the world's most outstanding concert halls, offers a world-class program of concerts throughout the year.

Harry Davies of Blue Badge Guide said that Manchester is a magnet for those interested in visual arts and museums.

"The Museum of Science and Industry is one of the top 10 science museums in the world," he said.

He explained that Manchester is famous for its legendary music and club scene, the coolest designer shopping and the best ever nightlife.

"Numerous international restaurants, including Chinatown and Rusholme's Asian cuisine, are mushrooming here," he said.

Another major appeal in the city's unique sense of style is the predominance and excitement generated by the gay lifestyle. In the heart of the city, Manchester's Gay Village offers some of the best restaurants, bars and clubs as well, he said.

Due to the wide variety of wealth and attractions Manchester offers, it is surely not only a matter of soccer and the famous Manchester United football club after all. (hhr)