City centre living in Manchester is best suited to young single people, not families, according to new research published today (Wednesday) by ippr's Centre for Cities.

The report shows that after decades of decline, Manchester's city centre population grew by a massive 300% during the 1990s. The current population is around 15,000 people, nearly half of whom are students.

The report says that city planners should now focus on improving areas like Ancoats, Ardwick and Beswick, rather than expanding the city centre. ippr focus groups show that young professionals are currently looking to move out to more family-friendly areas like Didsbury, Chorlton or Prestwich.

The report shows that people living in the centre of Manchester are twice as likely to be single as the national average. Nearly 25 per cent are aged 20-24, compared with just six per cent nationally. Between 1991 and 2001, the number of people aged between 45 and 60 more than halved. Students account for a massive 40 per cent of Manchester city centre's working-age population. More than a third of working residents in Manchester city centre walk to work, compared to a national average of less than 12 per cent.

ippr focus groups show that shops, bars, cafes, being able to walk to work and the city centre ‘buzz' are the main attractions. Retail, leisure and nightlife were far more important than art galleries and concert halls.

The report says that city centre living has helped grow the Manchester economy, by building the local skills base and improving perceptions of the city. Over 39 per cent of city centre residents are graduates, compared with 20 per cent nationally. There are about 500 ‘global connectors', very senior executives, entrepreneurs and sports personalities living in the city centre.

However, there is a ‘conveyor belt effect' in Manchester, with most people staying only a few years. A third of residents move in or out each year, around three times higher than the national average.

Max Nathan, Centre for Cities Senior Researcher and report author, said:

“Manchester has been at the forefront of city centre living for the past fifteen years. Starting from Castlefield and the Northern Quarter, development has spread across the whole city centre. Young people have been a large part of the story. But families and older people prefer neighbourhoods with houses, parks, schools and healthcare. This is a great opportunity for planners to improve deprived areas near the centre, rather than passing on the cost of family infrastructure in the city core.”

Tom Bloxham MBE, Chairman of Urban Splash, said:

“Manchester is the city centre living pioneer. But as the city centre has recovered, many areas nearby have stayed the same. Regenerating these inner ring neighbourhoods is the big priority for the decade ahead.”

Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“True regeneration is not just about the city centre core and it is not something that happens overnight. We are seeing young professional couples living in the city and starting families which is great, but the key now is making sure that when they want to move on, they stay in Manchester.”

City People: City Centre living in the UK, by Max Nathan and Chris Urwin, is available from here. A five page briefing on Manchester is available here.

Notes to Editors:

Manchester city centre factfile:

• Total population (2005 estimate): 15,000
• Total population (2001): 10,000
• Total population (1991): 3,500
• Aged between 18 and 34: 62%
• Single people (as a percentage of adult population): 75%
• Students (as a percentage of working age population): 42%
• People living young professional lifestyles: 41%
• People living low-income lifestyles: 16%
• Rented households: 69% (31% social, 38% private)
• Percentage of 16-74 population that are graduates: 39.3%

The report tracks a long post-war decline of city centre populations and then a resurgence over the last 10 years. Manchester's city centre population fell by 73 per cent between 1961 and 1991 but grew by nearly 300 per cent between 1991 and 2001 to a total of 10,000 people.

The initial spate of office, loft and warehouse conversions has expanded to include large numbers of new-build studio and one or two-bed flats, aimed at the buy-to-let market. Nationally, 20 per cent of Britons live in flats or apartments but 78 per cent do in Manchester city centre.

The Centre for Cities is an independent urban research unit, based at ippr – the Institute for Public Policy Research. Launched in March 2005, it is taking a fresh look at how UK cities function. Tom Bloxham MBE is the Chair of the Centre for Cities' Steering Group.