Manchester’s culture sector is ‘key engine for growth’, report shows

Manchester’s culture sector generated an economic impact of more than £342m last year, according to the findings of a new report.

Manchester City Council’s annual culture report features feedback on its citywide cultural strategy, an overview of the council’s investment and details the city’s recovery from the pandemic and future economic growth.

It says the council invested £23.1m in libraries, arts and culture in 2023/24, which helped leverage a further £159.2m from other public and private funding streams.

The sector was also found to have supported at least 4,802 full time equivalent jobs, as well as 16 apprenticeships and 2,284 volunteers.

The report adds that the city’s cultural venues saw a total 9 million visitors last year, including 2.8 million to the city’s libraries. Footfall at cultural venues now stands at 93% of the pre-pandemic figure for 2019-20.

Commenting on the report, Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges said culture is a key engine for growth in the city.

“Some of the city’s biggest regeneration successes are underpinned by the value of cultural organisations being at the heart of the city’s transformation,” Bridges added.

“The sector accounts for thousands of jobs and has the power to bring global attention and investment to Manchester that provides a platform for economic growth in the future.”