FT Special Report | Doing business in Manchester & Northwest England

Manchester & North-West England DOING BUSINESS IN FINANCIAL TIMES SPECIAL REPORT | Thursday March 12 2009 Interactive graphic How does the region compare in terms of business develop­ ment? View key information at: FT. com/north­ west­map Manchester Oldham... More

Manchester & North-West England DOING BUSINESS IN FINANCIAL TIMES SPECIAL REPORT | Thursday March 12 2009 Interactive graphic How does the region compare in terms of business develop­ ment? View key information at: FT. com/north­ west­map Manchester Oldham M62 www. ft. com/manchester­2009 Self­belief helps region punch above its weight M anchester, to paraphrase John Lewis, the UK department store group, is never knowingly undersold. From the swagger of its football teams, United, the European and World Club champions and City, the world’s richest club, to that of bands such as Oasis and The Stone Roses, there are few on the planet that have not heard of this city of 3m in northern England. Manchester and its hinterland have punched above their weight since they burst on to the scene in the 18th century as the cradle of the industrial revolution. On a plain, at the foot of the Pennine hills it was blessed with few natural advantages. Cut off from the sea, its business community eve Less