Manchester City Centre

Infobox UK place
country = England
map_type= Greater Manchester
static_

static_image_caption=Manchester City Centre is the central business district of Greater Manchester
official_name= Manchester City Centre
latitude= 53.479167
longitude= -2.244167
population= 11,689 (2001 Census)
population_density= 5410 mile² (2090 km²)
metropolitan_borough= City of Manchester
metropolitan_county= Greater Manchester
region = North West England
constituency_westminster= Manchester Central
post_town= MANCHESTER
postcode_area= M
postcode_district= M1
dial_code= 0161
os_grid_reference= SJ839980
london_distance= 163 miles (263 km) SE

Manchester City Centre is the central business district of both Manchester and Greater Manchester,cite web|url=http://www.gmltp.co.uk/gmltp2_html/section_123173639918.html |title=The Greater Manchester Area and its Regional Context |author=Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority |publisher=gmltp.co.uk |accessdate=2007-04-11 |date= ] in North West England. Extensively redeveloped since the 1996 IRA bombing, the city centre, as defined by Manchester City Council, lies within the Manchester Inner Ring Road, straddling the River Irwell, and thereby encompassing part of the neighbouring City of Salford. [cite web|url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/CityCentreZoningMap.gif|title=City Centre Zoning Map|publisher=manchester.gov.uk|author=Manchester City Council|accessdate=2008-06-09|format=GIF]

As well as much retail and commercial development, there has been a large increase in residential development and there are now over 5,000 residential properties in the city centre, mostly in the form of apartments.Fact|date=March 2007 Well over half of these have been built since 1996.Fact|date=March 2007 Some of the most notable developments are No. 1 Deansgate and Urban Splash. The prices of these homes have also risen with the first £2 million penthouse sold in 2002.Fact|date=May 2007

The electoral ward of City Centre had a resident population of 11,689, [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1 Central (Key Figures)] , neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. URL accessed March 20, 2007.] and a population density of 5,410 people per square mile (2090 km²), in 2001. [ [http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=Central&d=14&e=16&g=351197&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=789 Central (Population Density)] , neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. URL accessed March 20, 2007.] It is currently represented by three Liberal Democrat Councillors: Marc Ramsbottom, Ken Dobson and Elaine Boyes.

History

Economy

There are a variety restaurants in the City Centre including a number owned by famous chef Paul Heathcote. There is also a stock of hotels in the area with Manchester's first five-star hotel, the Lowry Hotel opening in the City Centre in 2001.

Manchester City Centre is home to Marks and Spencer, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols stores. Deansgate and Market Street are the centre's principal retail streets. There is also a large indoor shopping mall called the Manchester Arndale Centre. There are many leisure facilities in the City Centre including the Printworks, a large facility containing a cinema (including an IMAX screen), numerous bars, clubs and restaurants and also Manchester's first Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Casino.

The Northern Quarter, centred around Oldham Street, is known for its bohemian atmosphere and independent shops and cafes.The landscaping of the City Centre has provided several public spaces including the newly developed Piccadilly Gardens, which incorporates fountains, green spaces and a Metrolink station. Exchange Square is located near Urbis, which is an exhibition centre focusing on city life. Both Picadilly and Exchange Square are used for screening public events. Two of the City Centre's oldest buildings, "The Old Wellington Inn " and "Sinclair's Oyster Bar", were dismantled, moved 300 metres and re-erected in 1999 to create the new Shambles Square adjacent to Manchester Cathedral [ [http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Photography/locations/Wellington.htm Greater manchester County Records Office: Wellington Inn] ]

There are other museums in Manchester City Centre including the Manchester Museum which contains many ancient artifacts and natural history items and the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry which includes many hands-on exhibits.

Night life

Manchester City Centre has many nightclubs, many of which following in the footsteps of the Haçienda nightclub which has now closed; the site has been redeveloped as a housing complex. There is a large gay village around the Canal Street area of the city centre, which plays host to an annual Gay Pride Festival, and a large Chinatown with numerous places to eat.

ee also

*List of tallest buildings in Manchester
*Manchester Central (UK Parliament constituency)
*Castlefield

References

External links

* [http://www.manchestercitycentremanagement.co.uk/ www.manchestercitycentremanagement.co.uk/]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/webcams/ Manchester City Centre Webcams]