The Manchester Spatial Plan (MSP) is a voluminous document, with grand aspirations and detailed plans. It sets out the blueprint for the development of the Greater Manchester area, from regeneration of brownfield sites to greenbelt zoning, retail strategies to social and affordable housing provision.

Manchester, well known as the UK’s ‘second city’, is rightfully proud of its buzzing nightlife, industrial heritage, and sporting achievements. But it is just as famous for its unrivalled music scene, for which it has rightfully been called the UK’s ‘music capital’. Want to know more? Join me on a whistle-stop tour through the city’s music scene, past and present:

Liverpool and Manchester, giants of the North West, have long been rivals. Whether you’re looking back at the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894, which resulted in job losses at the Port of Liverpool, or enjoying the current rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool on the football pitch, it’s clear the two cities are fierce competitors. But can a new, ambitious development scheme change all this?

The area of Greater Manchester has a population of over 2.5 million people and is home to some famous old towns and two cities, including Manchester itself. Here, we look at some of Manchester’s lesser-known, but equally attractive, neighbours.

As a 46 year old Englishman, you would think that I would have visited Manchester at least a handful of times in my longish life, but, strangely, I have only ever managed to get there once, and that was about 25 years ago. I was, however, still flabbergasted at the difference in the city I had seen back in the 90s and the one that I was in now… it was barely recognisable as the same place.