View source for Manchester city centre

{{Short description|Central business district in Manchester, Greater Manchester, England}}
{{for|Manchester City Centre electoral ward|City Centre (ward)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| static_image_name = A View of Manchester City Centre from The Beetham Tower - geograph.org.uk - 4060333.jpg
| static_image_caption = Skyline of Manchester city centre
| official_name = Manchester City Centre
| type = [[Central Business District]]
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q2166304|display=inline,title}}
| population = 17,861
| population_ref = (2011)
| population_density = 
| metropolitan_borough = [[Manchester]]
| metropolitan_county = [[Greater Manchester]]
| region = North West England
| constituency_westminster = [[Manchester Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Manchester Central]]
| post_town = MANCHESTER
| postcode_area = M
| postcode_district = M1, M2, M3, M4
| post_town1 = 
| postcode_area1 = 
| postcode_district1 = 
| dial_code = 0161
| os_grid_reference = SJ839980
| london_distance = {{cvt|163|mi|km|0}}&nbsp;[[Boxing the compass|SE]]
| area_total_sq_mi = 
}}
'''Manchester city centre''' is the central business district of [[Manchester]], England, within the confines of [[Great Ancoats Street]], A6042 Trinity Way, and A57(M) [[Mancunian Way]], which collectively form an [[Manchester Inner Ring Road|inner ring road]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gvagrimley.co.uk/PreBuilt/Research%20web/Add%20on/ManchesterOfficeReportSpring08.pdf |title=Manchester City Centre Office Market Report |date=Spring 2008 |publisher=GVA Grimley |access-date=22 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221064705/http://www.gvagrimley.co.uk/PreBuilt/Research%20web/Add%20on/ManchesterOfficeReportSpring08.pdf |archive-date=21 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Visit Manchester – Manchester city centre map |url=http://www.visitmanchester.com/media/718221/city_map_2012_reprint_2_-_lisa_map.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019160847/http://www.visitmanchester.com/media/718221/city_map_2012_reprint_2_-_lisa_map.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2015 |work=visitmanchester.com |access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> The [[City Centre (ward)|City Centre ward]] had a population of 17,861 at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 census]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689204&c=City+Centre&d=14&e=62&g=6342490&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1451923254312&enc=1 |title=City of Manchester Ward population 2011 |access-date=4 January 2016 |archive-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106200858/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689204&c=City+Centre&d=14&e=62&g=6342490&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1451923254312&enc=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Manchester city centre evolved from the civilian ''[[Vicus (Rome)|vicus]]'' of the [[Castra|Roman fort]] of [[Mamucium]], on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers [[River Medlock|Medlock]] and [[River Irwell|Irwell]].{{sfn|Gregory|2007|pp=1–3}} This became the [[Manchester Township (England)|township of Manchester]] during the [[Middle Ages]], and was the site of the [[Peterloo Massacre]] of 1819.<ref name=ich>{{cite web |url=http://www.ichstm2013.com/explore/industrial-local/ |publisher=International Congress of History of Science, Technology and Medicine |title=Industrial heritage in the Manchester region |access-date=22 June 2013 |year=2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626212405/http://www.ichstm2013.com/explore/industrial-local/ |archive-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> Manchester was granted [[city status in the United Kingdom|city status]] in 1853, after the [[Industrial Revolution]], from which the city centre emerged as the global centre of the cotton trade which encouraged its "splendidly imposing commercial architecture" during the [[Victorian era]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spinningtheweb.org.uk/m_display.php?irn=71&sub=cottonopolis&theme=places&crumb=City%20Centre |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210232349/http://www.spinningtheweb.org.uk/m_display.php?irn=71&sub=cottonopolis&theme=places&crumb=City%20Centre |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2013 |title=City Centre |publisher=spinningtheweb.org.uk |access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> such as the [[Royal Exchange, Manchester|Royal Exchange]], the [[Corn Exchange, Manchester|Corn Exchange]], the [[Free Trade Hall]], and the [[Great Northern Warehouse]].<ref name=ich/> After the decline of the cotton trade and the [[Manchester Blitz]], the city centre suffered economic decline during the mid-20th century,{{sfn|Kellie|2010|p=26}} but the [[CIS Tower]] ranked as the tallest building in the UK when completed in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/3218247.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |title=Green light for high living |date=27 October 2003 |access-date=22 June 2013 |archive-date=13 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913222443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/3218247.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The city centre acts as the transport interchange for [[Greater Manchester]] and over 7 million people live within an hour's drive of it. The [[1996 Manchester bombing]] provided the impetus for the redevelopment of the city centre{{sfn|Kellie|2010|pp=56–61}} and an upturn in retail, leisure, offices and urban living.{{sfn|Ravetz|2000|p=50}}{{sfn|Kellie|2010|pp=142, 153}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The rush to turn offices into flats |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25107646 |work=BBC News |date=19 December 2013 |access-date=21 February 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093019/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-25107646 |url-status=live }}</ref> The economy of the city centre is built primarily on retail and services, accounting for nearly 40% of Grade-A city centre office space outside London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester and Leeds: Could they rival London? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27971552 |work=BBC News |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093023/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-27971552 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rate of take-up on Manchester city centre offices doubles as economy reaches pre-recession point |url=http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/260769951-rate-take-manchester-city-centre-offices-doubles-economy-reaches-pre-recession |work=mancunianmatters.co.uk |date=23 November 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-date=13 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413085143/http://www.mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/260769951-rate-take-manchester-city-centre-offices-doubles-economy-reaches-pre-recession |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Manchester}}
[[Image:Township of Manchester.JPG|thumb|left|100px|One of the boundary signs of the former [[Manchester Township (England)|township of Manchester]] on the banks of the Medlock]]
Manchester evolved from the civilian ''[[Vicus (Rome)|vicus]]'' associated with the [[Castra|Roman fort]] of [[Mamucium]], which was established c.&nbsp;AD&nbsp;79 on a sandstone bluff near the confluence of the rivers [[River Medlock|Medlock]] and [[River Irwell|Irwell]], in a position defensible from the [[Brigantes]].{{sfn|Gregory|2007|pp=1–3}} Once the Romans had abandoned Britain, the focus of settlement shifted to the [[confluence]] of the rivers [[River Irwell|Irwell]] and [[River Irk|Irk]].<ref>Hylton (2003), pp.&nbsp;3,&nbsp;8.</ref> During the [[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Ages]] which followed – and persisted until the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman Conquest]] – the settlement was in the territory of several different petty kingdoms.<ref name="Hylton7">Hylton (2003), p.&nbsp;7.</ref> In the [[Middle Ages]], what is now the city centre was the [[Manchester Township (England)|township of Manchester]].

[[Manchester Castle]]&nbsp;– a medieval fortification, probably taking the form of a [[ringwork]]&nbsp;– was located on a bluff where the rivers Irk and Irwell meet.<ref>Newman (2006), p.&nbsp;141.</ref> The castle was first mentioned in 1184 and recorded in 1215 as belonging to the [[baron]]s of Manchester, the Grelley family.<ref>Nevell (2008), p.&nbsp;41.</ref> It has been described as "of no political or military importance".<ref>Kidd (1996), p.&nbsp;13.</ref> The Grelleys replaced the castle with a fortified [[manor house]], which in turn was replaced by a college of priests (founded in 1421).<ref>Nevell (2008), p.&nbsp;42.</ref> In 1547 the college was dissolved and the property acquired by the [[Earl of Derby]] and early in the reign of King Charles II it was sold to the governors who had been appointed in the will of [[Humphrey Chetham]]. By royal charter in 1665 [[Chetham's Hospital]] was established and this became [[Chetham's School of Music]].<ref>McKechnie (1915), pp.&nbsp;54–55.</ref>

==Governance==

Manchester city centre is part of the [[Manchester Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Manchester Central]] parliamentary constituency, represented by [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) [[Lucy Powell]], from the [[Labour Co-operative|Labour Co-op Party]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lucy Powell MP |url=https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/lucy-powell/4263 |website=parliament.uk |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] |access-date=24 March 2017 |archive-date=19 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819174431/https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/lucy-powell/4263 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[City Centre (ward)|City Centre]] local electoral ward was divided in 2018 between two new wards, [[Deansgate (ward)|Deansgate]] and [[Piccadilly (ward)|Piccadilly]].<ref>{{cite book |last=LGBCE |author-link=Local Government Boundary Commission for England |title=Final recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for Manchester City Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204192110/http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/33017/Manchester-Final-Recommendations.pdf |archive-date=4 February 2018 |url=http://www.lgbce.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/33017/Manchester-Final-Recommendations.pdf |publisher=[[Local Government Boundary Commission for England]] |date=April 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Piccadilly Gardens.jpg|thumb|right|Piccadilly Gardens, a green space in the city (view towards Market Street)]]
The city centre has variously been defined as those parts of the city within the [[Manchester Inner Ring Road]],<ref name=visit>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitmanchester.com/media/718221/city_map_2012_reprint_2_-_lisa_map.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019160847/http://www.visitmanchester.com/media/718221/city_map_2012_reprint_2_-_lisa_map.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2015 |title=City Centre Map |year=2012 |access-date=13 June 2013}}</ref> or else the entire area within Manchester's Inner Ring Road, thereby encompassing a part of the administratively separate [[City of Salford]],{{sfn|Kellie|2010|pp=4–5, 243}} and an area of [[Oxford Road, Manchester|Oxford Road]] to the south.<ref name=core>{{cite web |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/18981/final_core_strategy |publisher=manchester.gov.uk |author=Manchester City Council |title=Manchester's Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Development Plan Document |quote=Part of the City Centre is in Salford and both the Regional Centre and Inner Areas cover areas of Manchester, Salford and Trafford... Manchester City Centre is defined as the area inside the Inner Relief Route and extends to the south to encompass the Oxford Road Corridor. The City Centre also extends to Chapel Street, within the administrative boundary of Salford City Council. |date=11 July 2012 |access-date=16 June 2013 |format=PDF |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225104734/https://www.manchester.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/18981/final_core_strategy |url-status=live }}</ref> Political and economic ties between the city centre and neighbouring Salford and [[Trafford]] have strengthened with the shift from town and district centres to metropolitan-level centres in England.{{sfn|Kellie|2010|pp=4–5, 243}}<ref name=unique/> Manchester city centre is the commercial heart of [[Greater Manchester]]<ref name=core/>{{sfn|Ravetz|2000|p=50}}<ref name=gms>{{cite web |url=http://www.agma.gov.uk/cms_media/files/final_gms_august_2009.pdf |title=Prosperity for all: The Greater Manchester Strategy |publisher=agma.gov.uk |author=Association of Greater Manchester Authorities |date=August 2009 |access-date=22 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116073359/http://www.agma.gov.uk/cms_media/files/final_gms_august_2009.pdf |archive-date=16 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and with adjoining parts of Salford and Trafford is defined as its Regional Centre for [[urban planning]] and public transport purposes.<ref name=core/><ref name=unique>{{cite web |url=http://www.localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-councils-plan-unique-town-centre-investment-strategy-20139553 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021193221/http://www.localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-councils-plan-unique-town-centre-investment-strategy-20139553 |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2013 |publisher=localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk |title=Greater Manchester councils plan "unique" town centre investment strategy |date=19 March 2013 |access-date=22 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=gms/><ref>{{citation |title=Manchester Unitary Development Plan |year=1995 |author=Manchester City Council |page=105}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/LTP3/Documents/Greater_Manchester_Local_Transport_Plan_Core_Strategy.pdf |publisher=Transport for Greater Manchester |title=Greater Manchester's third Local Transport Plan 2011/12 – 2015/16 |year=2011 |author-link1=Transport for Greater Manchester |author-link2=Greater Manchester Combined Authority |author1=TfGM |author2=GMCA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233802/http://www.tfgm.com/journey_planning/LTP3/Documents/Greater_Manchester_Local_Transport_Plan_Core_Strategy.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
[[File:Beetham Tower, Manchester 01639.jpg|thumb|left|Castlefield retains much of its industrial character which is juxtaposed by modern buildings.]]

There is little order due to the manner in which the city rapidly developed during the [[Industrial Revolution]] nor much agreement on the differing areas in Manchester city centre. However many areas and streets in the city centre have a distinctive character with identifiable clusters of industrial warehouses, civic buildings and modern developments. Many of these distinctive areas are covered in 14 city centre conservation areas which are defined by [[Manchester City Council]].

{{Blockquote|text=These are essential ingredients to the City's sense of place, providing aesthetic quality and strong references to the City's past, which will always be a central part of Manchester's character. Development which fails to respond to the opportunities that this context affords should not be supported. Recent development, including [[Urbis]] and the [[Manchester Civil Justice Centre|Courts of Justice]], has demonstrated how modern architecture of the highest standard can succeed alongside the established built fabric of the City Centre.|sign=[[Manchester City Council]] planning policy on conservation areas in the city centre|source=<ref>{{Cite web |title=City Centre Policy Approach 4 |url=http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cspo/core_strategy_proposed_option?pointId=1251969466305 |work=Manchester Consult |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019160847/http://manchester-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal/planning/cspo/core_strategy_proposed_option?pointId=1251969466305 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

===Castlefield===
[[Castlefield]] is an area in the extreme southwest between Deansgate and the River Irwell with the sites of the Roman fort and Liverpool Road Railway Station. It retains much of its industrial character and is the only [[Urban Heritage Park]] in the United Kingdom, and is marked by its mercantile 19th warehouses and adjoining wharfs which were used to transport goods from Manchester during the Manchester's industrial era. Today, Castlefield is quiet and noted for its waterside bars and pubs. Notable structures include [[Manchester Liverpool Road railway station|Manchester Liverpool Road station]] which was the first inter-city railway station on [[Opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway|the opening]] of the [[Liverpool and Manchester Railway]] in 1830. Today the station frontage remains and is Grade I listed, as is the adjoining [[1830 warehouse, Liverpool Road railway station|1830s warehouse]]. The structure now forms part of the [[Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester)|Museum of Science and Industry]] (MOSI). For many years Castlefield was on a tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Status for its industrial past – particularly in regards to the development of the canal as a mode of transportation and the railway.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK – On track for protection |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/155761.stm |work=BBC News |date=21 August 1998 |access-date=16 August 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093015/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/155761.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Northern Quarter===
[[File:High Street, Manchester Northern Quarter.jpg|thumb|left|The Northern Quarter is known for its warehouses and considered a bohemian part of the city centre.]]
The [[Northern Quarter (Manchester)|Northern Quarter]] is in the north east and is known as a hub for alternate and bohemian culture in Manchester. Previously the area was the retail heart of the city centre but with the opening of the Manchester Arndale in the 1970s patronage gradually dwindled and vacant buildings were commonplace. In the late 1980s the area was renamed as the Northern Quarter in the hope that the area would be reincarnated from the ground up. Following the boom of the late 90s and early 2000s the area has become a popular destination for shops, bars, restaurants and nightclub – many of which have an independent ethos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Surge Of New Northern Quarter Bars: What's The Problem? |url=http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Surge-Of-New-Northern-Quarter-Bars-So-Whats-The-Problem-Manchester |work=Manchester Confidential |date=17 April 2014 |access-date=16 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083102/http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Surge-Of-New-Northern-Quarter-Bars-So-Whats-The-Problem-Manchester |archive-date=19 August 2014}}</ref>

===Central Retail District===
[[File:Market St, Manchester.jpg|thumb|right|Market Street]]
The opening of the [[Manchester Arndale]] in 1975 shifted the retail focus towards the area bounded by Market Street, Corporation Street, Withy Grove and High Street. Despite the Arndale's unpopularity with many critics, it has been described as an outstandingly successful shopping centre by visitor numbers and spending. Today the Arndale attracts 41 million visitors a year and is the largest city centre shopping centre in the United Kingdom.

The area has been extensively redeveloped after the IRA bomb of 1996 and contains [[Manchester Cathedral]], [[Shambles Square]], [[Exchange Square (Manchester)|Exchange Square]] and [[Cathedral Gardens]], as well as shopping streets [[Market Street (Manchester)|Market Street]] and [[King Street (Manchester)|King Street]]. Since the bomb, Selfridges, Marks & Spencer and NEXT have opened dedicated large stores in the area. Not all shops are strictly in the retail area with many in Deansgate and King Street – a short walk from the area.

===Spinningfields===
[[File:Spinningfields - geograph.org.uk - 1639624.jpg|thumb|left|Spinningfields is the designated business district in the city centre.]]
[[Spinningfields]] is an area in the west adjoining the middle part of Deansgate and the main business district of the city centre. The proposal to create a designated central business district originated in 1997 when [[Allied London]] purchased a number of buildings around the [[John Rylands Library]]. Allied London executive [[Michael Ingall|Mike Ingall]] was convinced of the site's regeneration potential and [[Manchester City Council]] was keen to redevelop the city centre after the [[1996 Manchester bombing]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spinningfields whirlwind |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1016810_spinningfields_whirlwind |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=18 September 2007 |access-date=13 May 2012 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505025306/http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1016810_spinningfields_whirlwind |url-status=live }}</ref> The development, named from a narrow street which ran westwards from Deansgate, is bounded by Bridge Street to the north, [[Quay Street]] to the south, Deansgate to the east, and the River Irwell to the west.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.visitmanchester.com/images/pdfs/CityCentreMap.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017220311/http://www.visitmanchester.com/images/pdfs/CityCentreMap.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 October 2006 |title=Visit Manchester – City Centre Map |work=Visit Manchester.com |access-date=9 April 2010}}</ref>

The area is noted for glazed, modern buildings – many of which are offices. In 2010, Spinningfields accounted for 35% of the city centre prime office space with 44 commercial organisation employing nearly 20,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report for Resolution – Spinningfields |page=6 |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_downloads/Spinningfields.pdf |work=Manchester City Council |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093016/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/egov_downloads/Spinningfields.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Notable buildings in the area include [[1 The Avenue]], [[3 Hardman Street]] and the [[Civil Justice Centre]] – short-listed for the [[Stirling Prize]] and noted as a landmark building for its distinctive cantilevers. Future buildings include the Cotton Building and construction commenced in summer 2014 and will be completed by 2016. Construction on a new 90 metre office tower, [[1 Spinningfields]] could also commence in 2015 after securing a pre-let in late 2014.

Aside from offices, Spinningfields was home to a number of high end retail units such as Armani and Mulberry. However, with the main retail district being on the opposite side of the city centre, these units struggled.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Manchester has turned into a tale of two shopping cities |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchesters-tale-two-shopping-cities-2508181 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=3 April 2013 |access-date=23 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222122911/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/manchesters-tale-two-shopping-cities-2508181 |archive-date=22 December 2014}}</ref> In recent years the district has cultivated a far more successful image in the food and drink offering with a number of popular restaurants and bars in the area. Footfall, particularly in the evening after work hours, has increased, and revenue from retail and leisure in Spinningfields has risen from £10 million in 2008 to £50 million in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restaurants Drive Growth Of Manchester's Spinningfields Retail District |url=http://eatoutmagazine.co.uk/restaurants-drive-growth-manchester-s-spinningfields-retail-district |work=eatoutmagazine.co.uk |date=10 June 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114224/http://eatoutmagazine.co.uk/restaurants-drive-growth-manchester-s-spinningfields-retail-district |archive-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Piccadilly===
{{See also|Piccadilly Gardens}}
[[File:Piccadilly Gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1462705.jpg|thumb|right|[[Piccadilly Gardens]] from City Tower]]
Piccadilly is the transport interchange of the city centre with rail, tram and bus services all within a five-minute walk. The area is typically busy with pedestrians commuting to and from the city centre. The area is dominated by [[Piccadilly Gardens]]. It is the largest public square in the centre which was redeveloped in the early 2000s but not to a universally positive reception. For over 150 years Manchester Royal Infirmary was located on the site but closed in 1914. A few years after closure the hospital was demolished and public space was created with a landscaped garden set into the ground – hence the name. The area has a dedicated [[Piccadilly Gardens tram stop|tram station]] and [[Manchester Piccadilly Gardens bus station|bus station]] which has over 20 stands. Most of the stands are located on the south-west side of the square with the rest on the north side.

===Peter's Fields (Civic Quarter)===
{{See also|St Peter's Square, Manchester}}
{{center|'''Peter's Fields (Civic Quarter)'''}}
<gallery>
File:Manchester Central Library, March 2010.jpg|[[Manchester Central Library]]
File:Manchester Town Hall from Lloyd St.jpg|[[Manchester Town Hall]]
File:Manchester Cenotaph November 2014.jpg|[[Manchester Cenotaph|The Cenotaph]]
File:Albert-Square-MainStatue.jpg|[[Albert Square, Manchester|Albert Square]], Manchester
File:Midland Hotel west, Manchester.jpg|[[Midland Hotel, Manchester|Midland Hotel]]
File:Manchester Free Trade Hall (Radisson Edwardian Hotel).jpg|The [[Free Trade Hall]]
</gallery>

Peter's Fields, now known as St Peter's Square sits at the top of Oxford Road and Peter Street and extends east towards [[Princess Street, Manchester|Princess Street]]. It is noted for its purpose as a civic area and includes important buildings and monuments such as Central Library, Midland Hotel, YMCA Building, Manchester Town Hall and Town Hall Extension – all of which are listed. It is described by Manchester City Council as "perhaps the greatest collective accolade to Manchester's original modern heritage".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester's Civic Quarter |url=http://www.corridormanchester.com/explore-the-corridor-1/places/m/manchester-s-civic-quarter |work=Corridor Manchester |access-date=21 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129075123/http://www.corridormanchester.com/explore-the-corridor-1/places/m/manchester-s-civic-quarter |archive-date=29 November 2014}}</ref> The Square is famous for the [[Peterloo Massacre]] in 1819 when cavalry charged into a crowd of 60,000–80,000 that had gathered to demand the reform of parliamentary representation on what was previously fields – hence the name Peter's Fields. A monument to commemorate the nationally importantly event in the struggle for suffrage is expected to be commissioned for 2019 to mark the 200th anniversary of the massacre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peterloo Massacre memorial planned for Manchester city centre |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/peterloo-massacre-memorial-planned-manchester-5744394 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=17 August 2013 |access-date=23 November 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093017/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/peterloo-massacre-memorial-planned-manchester-5744394 |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years, the square has been redeveloped with new high-rise office buildings, [[One St Peter's Square]] and [[Two St Peter's Square]] with further buildings approved for the derelict Odeon site and London Scottish House adjacent to the Midland Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Civic Quarter – Manchester Central Regeneration Framework |url=http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/3584/civic_quarter_-_manchester_central_regeneration_framework |work=Manchester City Council |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129094052/http://www.manchester.gov.uk/downloads/download/3584/civic_quarter_-_manchester_central_regeneration_framework |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> As part of the redevelopment, the [[Manchester Cenotaph|Cenotaph]] was relocated outside Manchester Town Hall in 2014 and [[St Peter's Square tram stop]] was redeveloped with an additional platform and new configuration in 2016.

===Chinatown===
[[File:China Town, Manchester 2012.JPG|thumb|200px|right|upright|The [[paifang]] in [[Chinatown, Manchester|Chinatown]].]]
[[Chinatown, Manchester|Chinatown]] is an area to the south of Piccadilly Gardens with many oriental restaurants and other facilities of a far eastern character. It is the second largest [[Chinatown]] in the United Kingdom and the third largest in Europe.<ref>{{cite book |last=Christiansen |first=Flemming |title=Chinatown, Europe: An Exploration of Overseas Chinese Identity in the 1990s |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |pages=202 |isbn=0-7007-1072-8}}</ref> The first settlers to arrive in the city came in the early 20th century; according to the [[BBC]], "Many arrived alone and were engaged in what was seen as the traditional trade of [[Laundry|laundries]]."<ref name="BBC History"/> Manchester's first [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese restaurant]], Ping Hong, opened on [[Mosley Street]] in 1948,<ref name="BBC History">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/chinatown/2004/01/history.shtml |title=History of Manchester's Chinatown |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=14 January 2004 |access-date=26 July 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401041607/http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/chinatown/2004/01/history.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> on the eve of a Chinese immigration wave that would commence during the 1950s.<ref name="Sandy">{{cite web |author=Sandy Tsin |url=http://www.manchesterchinesearchive.org.uk/chinatown.php |title=History of Manchester Chinatown |publisher=Manchester China Archive |access-date=2 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100628195302/http://www.manchesterchinesearchive.org.uk/chinatown.php |archive-date=28 June 2010}}</ref> Manchester did not have a significant Chinese population, reaching only about 2,000.<ref name="archive">{{cite web |url=http://www.manchesterchinesearchive.org.uk/stories_dimsum.php |title=Community stories Chinatown |publisher=Manchester China Archive |access-date=2 July 2010}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> However, after [[World War II]], there were severe labour shortages, and in response, the government passed the [[British Nationality Act 1948]], which allowed easier access into the country.<ref name="archive"/> Additionally, Hong Kong's rapid urbanisation meant that many farmers and traditional residents' homes were being destroyed by the [[urban sprawl]], so many decided to migrate.<ref name="Sandy"/><ref name="archive"/> The area's beginnings are rooted in the restaurant business, as many Chinese restaurants surfaced soon after the immigration boom. By the 1970s other Chinese businesses began to emerge, such as medicine shops, Chinese supermarkets, as well as financial and legal services, all serving the employees of the expanding number of Chinese restaurants in the area.<ref name="Sandy"/><ref name="archive"/> The area has retained a far eastern character ever since and in 1987 a paifang archway was installed to as a gift to the Chinese community and to reflect the far eastern heritage of the area.

===Canal Street===
[[File:Canal street manchester.jpg|thumb|left|Canal Street|alt=]]
[[Canal Street (Manchester)|Canal Street]], known as the '''Gay Village''', is a part of the centre east of Portland Street and west of Whitworth Street through which runs the Rochdale Canal; it contains many bars, clubs and other facilities – many of which are focused towards the [[LGBT community]]. The area has long been associated with the gay community with links going back to the early 20th century when homosexuality was still illegal. During the industrial years the area was a [[red light district]].

=== Victoria North ===
[[Victoria North, Manchester|Victoria North]] is a new town in the city centre of which the landmark development is the [[Victoria Riverside]] project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Ethan |date=2024-07-22 |title=Victoria North developer issues 'significant' update on £4 BILLION project |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/victoria-north-developer-issues-significant-29588365 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref>{{clear}}

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring districts and places.'''
|Northwest = [[Salford]]
|North = [[Cheetham, Manchester|Cheetham Hill]]
|Northeast = [[Collyhurst]]
|West = [[Salford Quays]]
|Centre = Manchester city centre
|East = [[Beswick, Manchester|Beswick]]
|Southwest = [[Old Trafford]]
|South = [[Hulme]]
|Southeast = [[University of Manchester]]
}}

==Demography==
{{further|Demographics of Greater Manchester}}
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 2em; width: 40%; font-size: 90%;" cellspacing="3"
!colspan="4"|'''Central compared'''
|-
|'''2001 UK census'''||'''Central'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Central (ward): Ethnic group |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1241325606960&enc=1 |access-date=3 May 2009}}</ref>||'''City of Manchester'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Manchester (local authority): Ethnic group |date=14 April 2008 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276778&c=Manchester&d=13&e=15&g=351271&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=1&s=1241326334581&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47 |access-date=3 May 2009}}</ref>||'''England'''
|-
|Total population||11,689||392,819||49,138,831
|-
|White||82.0%||81.0%||91.0%
|-
|Asian||4.3%||9.1%||4.6%
|-
|Black||2.8%||4.5%||2.3%
|-
|Chinese or other||8.0%||2.7%||0.9%
|-
|Mixed||2.8%||3.2%||1.3%
|-
|}
At the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 UK census]], the political ward of "Central", which covers an area of {{convert|2.14|sqmi|km2|2}}, had a population of 11,689 with a population density of {{convert|5460|PD/sqmi|0}}. While this was lower than the population density for the whole city ({{convert|8798|PD/sqmi|0}}), the proportion of land dedicated to domestic buildings was lower in the ward than in the whole city (6.7% compared to 8.0%).<ref>{{cite web |title=Central (ward): Key figures for physical environment |date=14 April 2008 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=8&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&o=1&m=0&r=0&s=1241327115904&enc=1 |access-date=3 May 2009}}</ref> There was a female-to-male ratio of 100 to 113, much higher than the 100 to 95 ratio for all England.<ref name="central key stats">{{cite web |title=Central (ward): Key statistics |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1241325606960&enc=1 |access-date=3 May 2009}}</ref> Of those over 16&nbsp;years old, 65.7% were single (never married), 13.7% married, and 8.7% divorced; this was significantly different from the national figures of 30.2% single, 43.5% married, and 8.2% divorced.<ref>{{cite web |title=Central (ward): Marital status |date=14 April 2008 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1241327760415&enc=1&dsFamilyId=9 |access-date=3 May 2009}}</ref> The ward's 6,188&nbsp;households included 61.1% one-person, 8.6% married couples living together, 9.0% were [[cohabitation|co-habiting]] couples, and 12.4% single parents with their children; compared to national figures, there was a high proportion of single person households, and a low proportion of married couples living together.<ref>{{cite web |title=Central (ward): Household composition |date=14 April 2008 |publisher=[[Office for National Statistics]] |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1241327760400&enc=1&dsFamilyId=55 |access-date=3 May 2009 |archive-date=26 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526053338/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=5941650&c=M1+1AD&d=14&e=15&g=351218&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1241327760400&enc=1&dsFamilyId=55 |url-status=live }}</ref> Of those aged 16–74, 30.5% had no [[National Qualifications Framework|academic qualifications]], lower than the figure for the City of Manchester (34.0%) but slightly above that of the whole of England (28.9%).<ref name="central key stats"/> The ward had a significantly higher percentage of adults with a diploma or degree than the city or England as a whole. Of the ward's residents aged 16–74, 26.3% had an educational qualification such as first degree, higher degree, qualified teacher status, qualified medical doctor, qualified dentist, qualified nurse, midwife, or health visitor, compared to 21.4% in Manchester and 19.9% nationwide.<ref name="central key stats"/>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Manchester}}
[[File:Manchester City Centre Skyline.jpg|1000px|thumb|center|Manchester City Centre skyline from [[Werneth Low]] in 2020.]]
[[Deansgate]] and [[Market Street (Manchester)|Market Street]] are the centre's principal retail streets and King Street (with high-class shops) and St Ann's Square are known for their specialist fashion and other shops. There is also a large indoor shopping mall called the [[Manchester Arndale Centre]]. Manchester city centre has several large department stores including [[Marks and Spencer]] on Market Street, [[Kendals|House of Fraser]] on Deansgate, [[Harvey Nichols]] on New Cathedral Street and [[Selfridges]] in Exchange Square. There are many leisure facilities in the city centre including [[The Printworks (Manchester)|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]]. The [[Northern Quarter (Manchester)|Northern Quarter]], centred on Oldham Street, is known for its [[Bohemian style|Bohemian]] atmosphere and independent shops and cafes.
The landscaping of the city centre has provided several public spaces including [[Piccadilly Gardens]], which incorporates fountains, green spaces, a concrete pavilion designed by [[Tadao Ando]], and a [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] station. [[Exchange Square (Manchester)|Exchange Square]] is located near [[Urbis]], formerly an exhibition centre focusing on city life but closed and re-opened in mid-2011 as the [[National Football Museum]]. Both Piccadilly 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&nbsp;yards and re-erected in 1999 to create the new [[Shambles Square]] adjacent to [[Manchester Cathedral]].<ref>[http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Photography/locations/Wellington.htm Greater Manchester County Records Office: Wellington Inn] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506103605/http://www.gmcro.co.uk/Photography/locations/Wellington.htm |date=6 May 2008 }}</ref>

There are a great variety of restaurants in the city centre. There are also a good stock of hotels in the city centre which include the [[Midland Hotel, Manchester|Midland]], the [[Hilton Hotels & Resorts|Hilton]] within the [[Beetham Tower, Manchester|Beetham Tower]], and [[Kimpton Clocktower Hotel|Kimpton Clocktower]].

===Leisure===
[[File:Royal Exchange Building.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Royal Exchange, Manchester|Royal Exchange Building]] which is home to the Royal Exchange theatre.]]
Manchester city centre has many nightclubs, many of which follow in the footsteps of the [[The Haçienda|Haçienda]] nightclub which has now closed; the site has been redeveloped as a housing complex. There is a [[gay village]] around the [[Canal Street, Manchester|Canal Street]] area in the east of the city centre, which plays host to an annual Gay Pride Festival, and a large [[Chinatown, Manchester|Chinatown]] with numerous [[East Asia|far eastern style]] restaurants. The area to the west which is bisected by Deansgate and crossed by Peter Street is also well-provided with bars and some clubs (e.g. The Moon under Water and Ampersand). [[Rafters (nightclub)|Rafters]] was a [[nightclub]] located in [[St James's Buildings]]. A number of bands played concerts at Rafters in the 1970s and 1980s. Rafters closed in 1983. In its final years the DJ was [[Mike Shaft]] who appeared on [[Piccadilly Radio]] with [[Takin' Care of Business (show)|Takin' Care of Business]]. After that the club was renamed as Jilly's which existed to 1993, after which the club was called MusicBox.<ref name="Jilly's Rockworld history">{{cite web |url=http://www.jillys.co.uk/rockworld/history.html |title=Our history |publisher=Jilly's Rockworld – home of Manchester's rock & alternative community |access-date=23 February 2010 |archive-date=14 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114065554/http://www.jillys.co.uk/rockworld/history.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The city centre also has many bars, mostly located in the [[Northern Quarter (Manchester)|Northern Quarter]], regarded by some as the central district's creative hub. The quarter is well-provided with bars of various sizes; these include TV 21, Bar Fringe, the cocktail bar Apotheca and Trof. Live music venues may also be found here, including the Night & Day Cafe, MOHO Live and jazz bar Matt & Phred's.

There are two major theatres in the city centre, the [[Palace Theatre, Manchester|Palace Theatre]] (opened 1891) and the [[Manchester Opera House]] (opened 1912).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Should the Manchester Palace Theatre be turned into an opera house? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2009/oct/05/manchester-palace-theatre-opera-house |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 October 2009 |access-date=9 August 2014 |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615093522/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/theatreblog/2009/oct/05/manchester-palace-theatre-opera-house |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2008, plans emerged to redevelop the Palace Theatre as a northern base for the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet however these plans were shelved and both theatres were purchased by the [[Ambassador Theatre Group]] for £90m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester's Palace Theatre set to become northern base for the Royal Opera House |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/manchesters-palace-theatre-set-to-become-northern-base-for-the-royal-opera-house/ |work=The Stage |date=27 October 2008 |access-date=9 August 2014 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821233055/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2008/10/manchesters-palace-theatre-set-to-become-northern-base-for-the-royal-opera-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years the Group have launched the 'Manchester Gets It First' campaign and a number of high-profile musicals have premiered in Manchester such as ''[[Ghost the Musical|Ghost]]'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ambassador Theatre Group Launches Manchester Gets it First |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Ambassador-Theatre-Group-Launches-Manchester-Gets-it-First-20110516#.U-Z01fm7ySo |work=broadwayworld |date=16 May 2011 |access-date=9 August 2014 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821210634/http://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Ambassador-Theatre-Group-Launches-Manchester-Gets-it-First-20110516#.U-Z01fm7ySo |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Royal Exchange, Manchester|Royal Exchange]], a nationally known theatre company which specialising in new productions of the classics and is known for its '[[Theatre in the round|the round]]' layout. The [[Cornerhouse]], at the top of Oxford Road and opposite the Palace, is a venue for the visual arts and contains several cinemas which show mainly [[Art film|art house]] films. A new Cornerhouse and Library Theatre building will open at First Street in 2015 providing a larger home for both companies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Art has a new Home: £25m Manchester centre closes the culture gap with London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/art-has-a-new-home-25m-manchester-centre-closes-the-culture-gap-with-london-9659438.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810061348/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/art-has-a-new-home-25m-manchester-centre-closes-the-culture-gap-with-london-9659438.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 August 2014 |work=The Independent |date=10 August 2014 |access-date=16 August 2014}}</ref>

[[Manchester Art Gallery]], opened in 1824, welcomes over half a million visitors every year and is one of the largest galleries outside London.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester Art Gallery – About Us |url=http://www.manchestergalleries.org/about-us/ |work=manchesterartgalleries.org |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-date=12 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112015055/http://www.manchestergalleries.org/about-us/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Manchester Museum of Science and Industry]] in Castlefield explores the industrial heritage of the United Kingdom with emphasis on Manchester. The [[People's History Museum]] explores the social history of Manchester and the United Kingdom. Many galleries and museum exist outside the city centre in Manchester and Greater Manchester such as the [[Whitworth Art Gallery]], [[Imperial War Museum North]] and [[The Lowry]].

{{center|'''Galleries and museums in Manchester city centre'''}}
<gallery style="float:left; margin:0em 0.5em 0em 0em;" widths="200" heights="160">
File:Manchester Art Gallery March 2010.jpg|[[Manchester Art Gallery]]
</gallery>
<gallery style="float:left; margin:0em 0.5em 0em 0em;" widths="200" heights="160">
File:PeoplesHistoryMuseum.JPG|[[People's History Museum]]
</gallery>
<gallery style="float:left; margin:0em 0.5em 0em 0em;" widths="200" heights="160">
File:Entrance of the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.jpg|[[Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester)|Museum of Science and Industry]]
</gallery>
<gallery style="float:left; margin:0em 0.5em 0em 0em;" widths="200" heights="160">
File:Urbis Olympics.jpg|[[National Football Museum]] at [[Urbis]]
</gallery>
{{clear}}

==Transport==
[[File:Tram leaves Victoria 2014 during re-construction works.jpg|thumb|right|Construction continues on Victoria station and 2CC as a tram departs the station in 2014.]]

===Rail===
Manchester City Centre has four railway stations in the [[Manchester station group]]: Piccadilly, Victoria, Oxford Road and Deansgate.
* [[Manchester Piccadilly station]] is the largest station in the City with 14 platforms plus 2 [[Manchester Metrolink|Metrolink]] tram platforms, located on the southeast side of the city centre not far from Piccadilly Gardens, the Gay Village, and the Northern Quarter. The main access is from Piccadilly, which continues towards Ardwick as London Road.
* [[Manchester Victoria station]] is the main terminus for services from the north and west of Greater Manchester and includes both rail and Metrolink platforms. Victoria is located in the northwest of the city centre near the northern end of Deansgate, Corporation Street and Exchange Square and is connected to the Manchester Arena. It underwent a £44m renovation, completed in August 2015.
* [[Manchester Oxford Road railway station|Manchester Oxford Road]] station serves the southern corridor of the city centre, where both the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University are located, as well as the Central Manchester Hospitals, Palace Theatre, and Cornerhouse.
* [[Deansgate railway station|Deansgate]] station is located in the southwest, between Deansgate locks and nearby Castlefield at the southern end of Deansgate (which is over a mile long). It is also a short walk away from Beetham Tower, as well as the Great Northern complex, housing an AMC Cinema, bars and leisure attractions. It is connected via a link bridge to [[Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop]].

===Metrolink===
{{Manchester Central Metrolink lines|inline=}}
{{main|Zone 1 (Manchester Metrolink)}}
Metrolink is the light rail tram service that operates in Central Manchester. The services are usually 6 mins in the peak and 12 mins off-peak to most destinations, all of which are within Greater Manchester. As of 2021 there are eight lines operating, connecting the city centre with termini at [[Altrincham]], [[Ashton-under-Lyne]], [[Bury, Greater Manchester|Bury]], [[Didsbury|East Didsbury]], [[Eccles, Greater Manchester|Eccles]], [[Manchester Airport]], [[MediaCityUK]], [[Rochdale]] and the [[Trafford Centre]]. A new line through the city centre was recently constructed.

Metrolink stops in the city centre currently are:
* [[Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop|Deansgate-Castlefield]] – services to Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Eccles, East Didsbury, MediaCityUK and Rochdale, and a service to Manchester Airport
* [[Exchange Square tram stop|Exchange Square]] – located in [[Exchange Square (Manchester)|Exchange Square]]
* [[Market Street tram stop|Market Street]] – located in one of the main shopping streets and close the [[Manchester Arndale|Arndale Centre]], serving passengers on the Altrincham, Bury, East Didsbury and Rochdale lines.
* [[Manchester Piccadilly station|Piccadilly]] – located beneath the main concourse, with services to Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, Eccles and MediaCityUK as well as city centre stations/stops.
* [[Piccadilly Gardens tram stop|Piccadilly Gardens]] – located in the busiest bus/tram interchange in the city centre with services to Altrincham, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury, Eccles and MediaCityUK as well as other city stations including Victoria and Piccadilly.
* [[Shudehill Interchange|Shudehill]] – an interchange station similar to Piccadilly Gardens located near the [[Northern Quarter (Manchester)|Northern Quarter]], [[The Printworks (Manchester)|The Printworks]] and Shudehill bus station. Services to Altrincham, Bury, East Didsbury and Rochdale operate from this interchange.
* [[St Peter's Square tram stop|St Peter's Square]] – it serves the Altrincham, Bury, Eccles, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport, MediaCityUK and Rochdale lines. It is located close to the [[Manchester Central Library|central library]], town hall and [[Wilmslow Road|Oxford Street]].
* [[Manchester Victoria station|Victoria]] – services to Altrincham, Bury, East Didsbury and Rochdale currently operate from this station, however once expansion of the network is complete it will see a new service to Manchester Airport.

Two stations used to serve the city centre but have been closed:
* [[High Street tram stop|High Street]] – closed in 1998, unidirectional platform closed after extension of Market Street stop.
* [[Mosley Street tram stop|Mosley Street]] – closed in 2013, unidirectional.

====Second City Crossing (2CC)====
To facilitate the Metrolink expansion and increased tram frequency an alternative route through the city centre was required. The 2CC runs from Victoria station to St Peter's Square via Exchange Square, Corporation Street, Cross Street and Princess Street. Utility works on re-routing gas and water supplies began in January 2014 and lasted for over a year. The works impacted heavily on parts of the city centre with streets and pavements closed off and awkward diversions introduced.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Business owners fear bodies on Cross Street are bad for trade – and could cast a Feng Shui shadow |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/business-owners-fear-bodies-cross-7659883 |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=22 August 2014 |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114503/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/business-owners-fear-bodies-cross-7659883 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Bus/Coach===
There are also 2 major bus interchanges located in the city centre; [[Manchester Piccadilly bus station]] and [[Shudehill Interchange]] which all serve local bus services to areas in the 10 Greater Manchester boroughs, as well as some from the surrounding counties of [[Cheshire]], Lancashire, [[Yorkshire]] and [[Derbyshire]].
* '''[[Manchester Piccadilly bus station|Piccadilly Gardens bus station]]''' provides services mainly to the south and east of Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire. Most services are operated by [[Stagecoach Manchester]] and [[Metroline Manchester]].
* '''[[Shudehill Interchange]]''' provides services mainly to the north and west of Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire. Most services are operated by either [[Go North West]] or [[Diamond North West|Diamond Bus]].

Chorlton Street coach station provides long-distance coach services operated by [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] to cities across Great Britain.
Shudehill was opened so the bus system was directional.

==See also==
* [[List of tallest buildings in Manchester]]
* [[Manchester Central (UK Parliament constituency)]]
* [[Manchester]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

;Sources
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Gregory |editor-first=Richard |title=Roman Manchester: The University of Manchester's Excavations within the Vicus 2001–5 |publisher=Oxbow Books |year=2007 |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84217-271-1}}
* {{cite book |first=Stuart |last=Hylton |year=2003 |title=A History of Manchester |publisher=Phillimore and co. Ltd. |location=Chichester |isbn=1-86077-240-4}}
* {{cite book |first=Euan |last=Kellie |year=2010 |title=Rebuilding Manchester |publisher=Derby Books |isbn=978-1-85983-786-3 |location=Derby}}
* {{cite book |first=Alan |last=Kidd |date=1996 |orig-year=1993 |title=Manchester |publisher=Keele University Press |location=Keele |isbn=1-85331-028-X}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=McKechnie |editor-first=H. M. |year=1915 |title=Manchester in Nineteen Hundred and Fifteen |location=Manchester |publisher=University of Manchester Press}}
* {{Cite book |first=Mike |last=Nevell |year=2008 |title=Manchester: The Hidden History |publisher=The History Press |isbn=978-0-7524-4704-9}}
* {{cite journal |first=Caron |last=Newman |year=2006 |title=Medieval Period Resource Assessment |journal=Archaeology North West |volume=8 |pages=115–144 |issn=0962-4201}}
* {{cite book |first=Joe |last=Ravetz |year=2000 |title=City-Region 2020 |publisher=Earthscan |isbn=978-1-85383-606-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Atkins |first=Philip |title=Guide Across Manchester |publisher=Civic Trust for the North West |location=Manchester |year=1976 |isbn=0-901347-29-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Bradshaw |first=L. D. |title=Origins of Street Names in the City of Manchester |publisher=Neil Richardson |location=Radcliffe |year=1985 |isbn=0-907511-87-2}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.visitmanchester.com/what-to-do/maps/ Visit Manchester website with a link to a city centre map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123054059/http://www.visitmanchester.com/what-to-do/maps/ |date=23 November 2016 }}
* [http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500113/city_centre_regeneration/4274/contact_the_city_centre_regeneration_team Manchester City Council's Regeneration Team]

{{Manchester}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manchester City Centre}}
[[Category:Areas of Manchester]]
[[Category:Manchester City Council Wards]]
[[Category:Central business districts in the United Kingdom]]