Manchester named the UK’s most creative city

In a recent study conducted by Adobe Express, Manchester has emerged as the undisputed ‘creative capital’ of the UK, securing the top spot as the most creative city in the country.

The research, which delved into various factors such as the number of jobs in the creative sector, the abundance of museums and galleries, and the presence of notable artists born in different towns and cities, highlighted Manchester’s leading position in fostering creativity.

Manchester’s creative capital

Taking a comprehensive approach, Manchester claimed the coveted title with an impressive overall creativity score of 8.7 out of 10.

The city boasts an estimated 111 notable creatives per 100,000 people, encompassing talents in music, painting, and writing. Additionally, Manchester offers around 31 relevant job roles per 100,000 residents in the creative arts sector.

Manchester’s creative, digital, and technology cluster

The city’s creative prowess is further emphasised by its standing as one of Europe’s largest creative, digital, and technology clusters.

Home to over 10,000 businesses, including industry giants like the BBC, Brown Bag Films, Mediacom, and Dentsu Aegis, Manchester’s digital ecosystem has rapidly grown into a £5 billion industry.

With strengths spanning design, animation, gaming, AI, virtual realities, advertising, and broadcast and media production, Greater Manchester’s creative sector stands as a thriving community.

Recent investments in culture, marked by the opening of Aviva Studios, the inauguration of Co-op Live, and the English National Opera’s relocation to the city, signify an influx of international arts names to Manchester.

You can check out the report in full by clicking here

The UK’s top ten most creative cities

The top 10 most creative cities in the UK, as revealed by the Adobe Express research, are as follows:

1 Manchester

2 Brighton and Hove
3 Bristol
4 Leeds
5 Edinburgh
6 Liverpool
7 Newcastle
8 Glasgow
9 Norwich
10 Nottingham

Manchester’s cultural vibrancy has not gone unnoticed globally, earning accolades such as inclusion in National Geographic’s Best of the World 2023 selection.

Time Out has just named us as one of the best cities in the world, too.

Fodor Travel listed Manchester among the 10 UNESCO Creative Cities you should visit, while Lonely Planet featured the city as the sole UK representative in its Best in Travel 2023 list, lauding its learning and cultural developments.

Conde Nast Traveller named Manchester the top destination in the UK in 2023, acknowledging the city’s strides in sustainability, green space, and culture.