The founders defining the next chapter of Manchester’s story

Manchester’s growth continues to be impressive. But the economic benefits of central Manchester's success are not yet being felt outside of the ‘urban core’. This represents an important opportunity for SME support across the region.

Sam North, Co-founder and CEO of SCALE, reacts to the Oxford Economics ‘Manchesterism’ report

Manchester’s gains in ‘Gross Value Added’ (GVA) continues to be impressive, and the pace of change is remarkable. As someone building a national business focused on founder and SME growth, these are exciting times to be heading to the North West. 

Anyone who hasn't visited in a few years will be stunned by how different Manchester feels. There's an energy here that you simply don't find in most UK cities. The cultural heritage, the food, nightlife and sport - they’re not just soft extras, they're core to why talented people choose to build businesses there. Why founders take the leap, and why operators want to base themselves in the region.

But the economic benefits of central Manchester's success are not yet being felt outside of the ‘urban core’, and this represents an important opportunity for SME support across the region as a whole.

‘Manchesterism’ and the realities of growth

The report highlights that job growth has been concentrated in the urban core (central Manchester, Salford, Trafford) and in a service-based economy, that concentration isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Clustering knowledge-intensive businesses creates real benefits: shared labour markets, better infrastructure, the kind of knowledge exchange that only happen when smart people are near enough to meet each other at community events like ours.

What matters now is that the surrounding areas feel the benefits too. When household income growth shows those benefits are spreading wider across Greater Manchester, that’s what inclusive growth should look like.

To sustain momentum, we need to keep unlocking SME growth. Large employers and inward investment get the headlines, but it's founders and small business owners taking daily risks who will define the next chapter of this Manchester’s story.  They’re developing new tech, building products, and growing teams, and they need our support. 

That's exactly why SCALE is coming to the North West in 2026 and beyond. We're actively looking for founders from right across the region, not just the city centre. The opportunity here is too big, and too important, to leave anyone on the edge of it.

>> To join the conversation, register for SCALE Summit in Manchester on 25 November.