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Discover the I Love MCR Awards - a celebration of the people, places and organisations making a real difference across Greater Manchester.
Celebrating our city, its people and stories
A warm welcome from I Love Manchester!
Discover good news and things to do in Manchester with I Love MCR – the positive city brand sharing inspiring stories, events, local culture, and community spirit across Greater Manchester.
Our skies might be grey, but our city is vibrant, and our people are warm and welcoming. Manchester is always [raining] growing, with the added feeling that something exciting is just about to happen around every corner. That’s where we come in…
At I Love MCR, we’re here to inspire, inform and celebrate everything that makes Manchester special. From the Industrial Revolution to splitting the atom, Manchester has always been a city of world firsts. We built the first modern computer, opened the first free public library, and created the world’s first proper railway. We’re the birthplace of graphene and the city of the suffragettes.
Manchester blends history with innovation, creating a unique tapestry of stories, communities and ideas. From greeting strangers on the street to turning coffee shops into community hubs, our city has a distinctive warmth and pride. Manchester welcomes people from every corner of the globe. With more than 150 languages spoken, it’s a multicultural city that celebrates diversity.
It’s no wonder international publications such as the New York Times, Time Out, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic name Manchester among their top cities to visit in the world. But Manchester isn’t just a destination. It’s home.
One of the UK’s most liveable big cities and Best Places to Live according to the Sunday Times, Manchester’s energy and creativity set it apart. From music and football to cutting-edge innovations, we’re known for our bold spirit and togetherness. Today, Manchester is in the middle of a cultural renaissance. New projects and ideas capture the world’s attention, while the city’s greatest asset remains its people – proud, resilient and always moving forward.
The cranes on our skyline show a city that’s growing fast. Manchester has been ranked one of the greenest cities in the UK, and our population is expected to grow by 56,000 before 2034.
A city to be admired and replicated – not just in the UK, but worldwide.
We’re here to help you explore the very best of Manchester, from hidden gems and local secrets to inspiring stories and must-see events. Our city is home to creative industries, independent makers and a thriving community spirit. From buzzing bars and top restaurants to art, theatre and culture, Manchester has something for everyone. Manchester never stops dreaming, always evolving, ready for whatever comes next. A cultural renaissance is underway, and the only question is: what will we do tomorrow? That’s up to you – and with I Love Manchester, you’re never short of inspiration.
Explore the latest news stories to see what’s making headlines and what’s capturing hearts. Find your next adventure with local events and things to do in Manchester, from local festivals to epic gigs.
Celebrate the best of Manchester with our Awards, where we shine a light on the people and projects that make this city great. Support our charity campaigns because together, we’re stronger.
If you’re a brand with a Manchester spirit, see how to advertise with us or reach the city through Out-of-Home Media.
Grab a piece of the city with the I Love MCR Shop, perfect for showing off your love for Manchester. Stay connected with our newsletter for a weekly dose of inspiration and city stories.
Manchester is a city that’s always writing its next chapter. Let’s discover it together. Please consider subscribing for exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else, to support our mission to champion the community and keep this city region thriving.
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From Manchester with love.
As of the 2021 Census, Manchester’s local authority population was around 552,000, up 9.7% since 2011 (ONS via GMCA). While the city centre population isn’t separately reported in census data, estimates suggest it has grown from around 11,000 in 2010 to over 100,000 by 2024, driven by rapid development and a rising number of young professionals and students. This growth reflects Manchester’s transformation into a thriving residential, cultural and economic hub.
With a population nearing 2.95 million in 2023, Greater Manchester is the UK's fastest-growing urban area. It's a place where ambition meets community, and innovation thrives.
Greater Manchester welcomes around 58 million day visitors each year, including 31 million to the City of Manchester alone - making it the UK’s second most visited city after London. Tourism generates over £9.5 billion for the local economy, with £5.16 billion from Manchester itself (GMCA via Marketing Manchester, 2023).
Greater Manchester is a great city region made up of ten metropolitan boroughs including the City of Manchester, the City of Salford, Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan.
Manchester is commonly known as the UK’s second city. Once an industrial powerhouse with a plethora of world-first inventions, it is now a major cultural hub, steeped in arts and famous for its music and glorious sporting history.
Levenshulme, Ancoats, Altrincham and Ramsbottom have all been named among the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times. As the UK’s best-selling national newspaper, The Times knows a thing or two about top spots to call home.
When it comes to food, it all depends on your taste – and luckily, Manchester has something for everyone. Fast becoming a rival to London as a foodie capital, the city is drawing diners from far and wide. From street food gems to fine dining hotspots, Manchester is now home to not one but two Michelin Star restaurants: Mana, led by Simon Martin, and Skof, the latest addition from chef Tom Barnes. Whether you're after bold flavours, refined plates, or global influences, Manchester’s culinary scene is thriving. Discover the best restaurants in Manchester and taste the city for yourself.
The best bar in Manchester? That’s a tough call in a city where tables are made for dancing on. If popularity is your metric, Albert’s Schloss takes the crown – it’s huge, lively, packed with entertainment, and one of the most Instagrammed spots in the city centre. For something more refined, Schofield’s Bar earns the critics’ nod as a world-class cocktail destination. Whether you're after wild nights or perfectly stirred classics, Manchester has a bar for every mood. Discover the best cocktail bars in Manchester.
“MCR” is simply a shortened form of “Manchester.” It’s a popular and affectionate acronym used locally and globally to represent the city. While some interpret “MCR” as referring to the wider Manchester City Region, at I Love Manchester, we use “MCR” as a proud shorthand for everything that makes this city special – its people, places, spirit, and story.
I Love MCR is not a charity, but we run charity campaigns that raise awareness and funds for a wide range of Greater Manchester charities, including Forever Manchester and Mustard Tree. The success and positive impact of the I Love MCR brand even inspired the rebranding of the Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust to We Love MCR Charity. We’re proud to work in partnership with We Love MCR Charity to support local communities and young people across the city.
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