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Still a long way to go?

PEOPLE who know the city think of its vibrancy, vitality and dynamism. But the further away you get within the UK, old stereotypical ideas kick in - of a rainy, grim, industrial city, which is home to Coronation Street and Manchester United.

On one hand we are seen to be going places. But that’s counterbalanced by the view that we’ve still got a long way to go.

 And the report indicates that the upside of “buying” brand Manchester is:
* Innovation and invention from the city’s cluster of universities, student population, diversity and creativity.
* Dynamism and vivacity - plus an edgy, can-do attitude - are Manchester’s most mentioned attributes.
* Compact scale enables people to know and enjoy the city.
* Tolerance, inclusion and open-mindedness towards both newcomers and new ideas enable Manchester to “think differently”.
* Commonwealth Games showed the world what Manchester already knew – it is a modern 21st century city where traditional virtues have been blended with a new vision.
* Down-to-earth, self-deprecating sense of humour keeps the city “grounded and real”.

But there’s a downside too. The research also identified these more negative issues:
* The scope of the city’s ambitions needs to be widened to have a real impact internationally.
* The lack of a perceived stunning building – Manchester’s architecture is seen as being good but not great with the exception of the Imperial War Museum North.
* Shop Opening hours belie the city’s ambitions to become a true European capital along with the lack of evening economy facilities for people outside the 18-30 age group.
* Crime projects a negative image, though residents sense that safety has improved substantially in the city centre.
* Manchester needs to ensure that the reality lives up the hype; that the quality of its activities, services and infrastructure matches its ambition.
* Perceived lack of progress in dealing with poverty and deprived communities, widening the gap between the haves and have nots.
* Too few green and “chill-out” spaces and play areas within the city centre.
* Need to assume a more statesmanlike role in relationships with other centres and the wide region.
* Cockiness and attitude sometimes crosses the line towards arrogance, typified by Liam Gallagher’s swagger.