There are many reasons why businesses choose meeting rooms in Manchester. After all, the city’s economy is bigger than that of Wales or Northern Ireland. It’s one of the UK’s most significant business hubs.
Perhaps you’re a remote team looking for a place to run an in-person ideation session. Maybe you’re a scale-up searching for a convenient spot to host an update with your stakeholders and investors. Whatever you need, Manchester has it all.
In this article, we’ll explore why Manchester is the ideal city for businesses seeking modern and flexible meeting rooms. We’ll also share some of the best meeting spaces across Manchester’s many vibrant districts.
Manchester: Top large UK city of the future
Manchester’s economic status is becoming increasingly recognised within the UK. With a current Gross Value Added (GVA) of £78.8 billion, it has the most significant city region economy outside London.
Manchester was ranked as the top Large European City of the Future in the UK. This cemented its status as a commercial challenger on the global business stage.
Manchester’s performance isn’t limited to a narrow range of industries, either. A 2020 Data City report shows that the city’s businesses excel in a wide variety of fields, including Cyber, AI, Fintech, and eCommerce.
Why should businesses choose a Manchester meeting space?
Given this impressive economic background, it’s no surprise that there’s such high demand for meeting rooms in Manchester. But that’s not all the city has going for it.
Here are eight more factors that make this city such a desirable business location, from its startup scene to its convenient transport links.
1. Its range of meeting room options
With over 500,000 sq ft of Grade A office space in the city, businesses can find meeting space in the Northern Powerhouse to cater to their every need.
If you’re looking for a spot for an interview, there are plenty of small meeting rooms in Manchester you can choose from. Equally, if you need to host a training session or workshop, larger venues are available for hire.
You can also find board rooms, ideal for hosting investors or important clients.
2. It’s an alternative finance hub
Alternative finance is flourishing in Manchester. Notable names in the industry, such as Crowd2Fund and Co-operative Bank, both call Manchester home.
This is due to several factors, such as the city’s skilled graduate workforce and supportive business environment.
For companies in this sector, hiring a meeting room in Manchester puts you in the heart of a thriving ecosystem. This makes it convenient for significant industry players to connect with you.
3. There are many well-equipped venues
In Manchester, the right meeting room to suit your specific requirements is always within reach. Regus buildings always come with the amenities you need for a productive meeting.
For example, those needing conference call facilities can find spaces equipped with audiovisual tools. Those planning brainstorming sessions have access to whiteboards and flip charts.
4. It has a healthy tech startup ecosystem
In 2021, Greater Manchester had over 1200 high-growth companies that raised £2.4 billion between 2011 and 2020. Over 30% of these are tech companies.
These include names like Peak, Push Doctor and Culture.ai. Manchester even hosts operational offices for several tech unicorns, such as AO, AutoTrader and Onthebeach.com.
Many meeting rooms for hire in Manchester are located in coworking spaces, which are very popular among tech companies. Opting to host your meeting in one of these spaces allows you to connect with like-minded individuals.
5. Prices are competitive
The cost-effectiveness of Manchester meeting rooms makes them more appealing as a practical choice for businesses of all sizes.
Figures for 2023 show that prime office space in the city costs an average of £40 per sq ft. This is less than half the price of rents in some key London areas.
Naturally, this affordability extends to meeting rooms in Manchester, making the city a cost-effective choice for businesses.
6. Many corporates have a base here
If you’re eyeing up a meeting with corporate heavyweights, they will likely have a Manchester base. Over 2,000 foreign-owned companies and major brands like Google, Amazon, BBC, and Kellogg’s call the city their home.
As such, hosting your meeting here opens doors to influential names, making it easier to build meaningful relationships. It also gives your business prestige, as your notable business address will impress clients and investors alike.
7. Its entrepreneurial spirit
The economy is thriving. Companies big and small choose to base themselves here. Local businesses, including Boohoo and AO, have even hit IPOs of over £1 billion.
By opting for a meeting space in Manchester, you’ll be aligning with a city known for its entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.
8. It’s a regional creative hub
Conference rooms in Manchester are ideal for companies in the creative industry. This is because the city already hosts many influential names in the sector.
MediaCity, for instance, is an international hub for the digital and creative industries. It hosts the likes of leading video production companies like the BBC and ITV.
If you’re looking to meet with broadcasters, producers, or clients in media and marketing, Manchester is the place to do it.
9. It’s incredibly well-connected
Manchester is one of the UK’s best-connected cities. It’s easy to get to and to get around, making it an optimal meeting point for guests coming from further afield.
For instance, direct train services to London run every 20 minutes, taking just over two hours. There are also frequent, direct connections to cities like Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham.
This city also boasts an extensive bus network and the Metrolink offers convenient access to boroughs in the region.
Manchester’s international airport also flies to over 185 destinations. This makes it a convenient spot for attendees coming from abroad.
Meeting rooms in Manchester for any business need
In the section below, we’ll share some of Manchester’s best meeting rooms and conference venues. Available to book by the hour or day, each is equipped with high-quality facilities, including AV equipment and high-speed WiFi. Let’s dive in.
Bow Chambers
For practical and professional meeting rooms in Manchester city centre, check out Bow Chambers.
Only five minutes from the Arndale Centre, these meeting rooms are in Manchester’s central business district. The building is beautifully designed, enabling you to impress clients from the outset.
It also provides a range of stunning break-out spaces. These are the perfect places to prep before meetings and debrief afterwards.
Bow Chambers meeting rooms are also close to local cafés, restaurants, bars, and transport links.
Highlights include:
● Break-out areas
● Major transport links
● City centre location
Information about Bow Chambers:
● Location: Bow Chambers, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4JB
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £39 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: St James Square (Stop CP) Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Brown Street (Stop CP) (a one-minute walk away)
82 King Street
Situated on one of the city’s most notable streets, 82 King Street offers prime meeting rooms in Manchester city centre.
Despite being a Grade I-listed building, 82 King Street boasts modern facilities to ensure your business meetings run smoothly. Particular highlights include a videoconferencing studio and a sandwich bar to keep attendees sated.
For those travelling by car, secure parking is available. The venue is also less than a mile away from Victoria Station, ensuring easy access for attendees taking the train.
Highlights include:
● Disabled facilities
● Sandwich service
● Secure underground parking
Information about 82 King Street
● Location: 82 King Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 4WQ
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £25 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport: Brown Street Stop CP (a one-minute walk away) and Cheapside Stop CO (a one-minute walk away)
Spinningfields
Our Spinningfields centre is a prime meeting location for businesses in financial and commercial services. This modern business district is home to over 165 firms in these industries.
The 16-storey building features a distinctive double-height atrium and a sleek steel-and-glass facade, sure to impress guests. Outside seating offers a relaxed space for post-meeting discussions.
Ample transport links, underground parking and bike storage ensure easy access however you choose to travel.
Highlights include:
● Bicycle storage
● Secure underground parking
● Showers
Information about Spinningfields
● Location: 3 Hardman Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3HF
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £29 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: Lower Byrom Street Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and Bridge Street Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away)
Trafford Park
If you work with companies in the FMCG industry, consider meeting rooms in our Trafford Park centre. Trafford Park hosts a roster of global brands, including Kellogg’s, Unilever, L’Oreal, and Adidas, meaning you’ll be in good company.
Meeting rooms in this building accommodate everything from board meetings to conference calls. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of natural light, helping you to remain engaged during your discussions.
Highlights include:
● Collaborative break-out areas
● Elevator
● Striking glass-fronted building
Information about Trafford Park
● Location: Centenary Way, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M50 1RF
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £25 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: Ladywell Metrolink Bus Stop A (a 10-minute walk away) and Ladywell Tram Stop (an 11-minute walk away)
Digital World Centre
The Digital World Centre is an ideal meeting space for creative businesses. Next to MediaCity, home to industry giants such as BBC, this location has an inspiring atmosphere and carries plenty of prestige.
The meeting rooms themselves are fitted out with conference facilities and TVs. Teams can refuel easily thanks to a convenient sandwich service.
The venue also boasts a 100-seat auditorium and exhibition space, making it suitable for larger events, too.
Highlights include:
● Sandwich service
● Disabled facilities
● Outside seating area/terrace
Information about Digital World Centre
● Location: The Quays, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M50 3UB
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £25 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: MediaCityUK Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and The Lowry Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away)
Lowry Mill
Lowry Mill is an excellent option for those seeking meeting space in North West Manchester. Located in a historic 19th-century cotton mill and named after the nearby painter, it offers a perfect blend of history and modernity.
The meeting rooms here offer plenty of natural light, luxury interior designs and impressive views. The building’s on-site restaurant also offers convenient options for refreshments and conversation before and after your meeting.
The space is just a five-minute walk from Swinton train station, and excellent road links ensure easy accessibility by car.
Highlights include:
● Disabled facilities
● On-site lunch restaurant
● Outside seating area/terrace
Information about Lowry Mills
● Location: Lees Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M27 6DB
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £19 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: Lees Street Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Swinton Train Station (a six-minute walk away)
Didsbury
Regus Didsbury is a welcoming meeting space in the leafy suburb of Didsbury, regarded as Manchester’s ‘stockbroker belt’. This area is home to notable companies like Siemens, with BA CityFlyer also located nearby.
Only a 13-minute drive from Manchester Airport, meeting rooms in Didsbury are a top choice if you’re hosting international guests. The workspace also offers a state-of-the-art video conferencing studio.
For those seeking a breath of fresh air or a change of scene, there’s also a relaxing terrace at your disposal. Secure parking adds an extra layer of convenience for your guests.
Highlights include:
● Disabled facilities
● Outside seating area/terrace
● Sandwich service
Information about Didsbury
● Location: Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 2YY
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £25 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: Fletcher Moss Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away) and East Didsbury Train Station (an eight-minute walk away)
Kennedy House
Opening soon, Kennedy House will be the ideal venue for companies hosting meetings in the Altrincham area.
Though still under construction, this building will feature all the high-quality facilities typical of Regus. This includes ergonomic furniture, ambient lighting and inspirational break-out spaces.
Highlights include:
● Break-out areas
● Business lounges
● Brand new office space
Information about Kennedy House
● Location: F1, Kennedy House, 31 Stamford St, Altrincham, WA14 1ES
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £55 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
● Nearby transport: Stamford Street Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away) and Altrincham Train Station (a four-minute walk away)
Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport meeting rooms are ideal when you need to organise your diary around flights. This glass-fronted, modern office building offers 18 meeting rooms of varying sizes.
With excellent travel links to the city centre and motorway, the location is convenient for local and international attendees.
The neighbouring airport complex also ensures a stress-free day. Shops, restaurants, and hotels are all within easy reach.
Highlights include:
● On-site lunch restaurant
● On-site sandwich/coffee bar
● Showers
Information about Manchester Airport
● Location: 3000 Aviator Way, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M22 5TG
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £19 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: East Road Bus Stop (a nine-minute walk away) and Shadow Moss Road Bus Stop (a 14-minute walk away)
St James Tower
St James Tower offers high-spec meeting rooms near Manchester Piccadilly train station.
The meeting rooms themselves are thoughtfully designed and our super-fast WiFi will ensure any presentations and calls run smoothly.
Our onsite team is always available if you need anything throughout the day. Whether hosting big groups or having a private one-on-one meeting, St James Tower is ready to welcome you and your guests.
Highlights include:
● Abundance of natural light
● Collaborative break-out areas
● Convenient travel connections across Manchester
Information about St James Tower
● Location: 7 Charlotte Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4DZ
● Starting cost: Meeting rooms from £35 per hour
● Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members.
● Nearby transport: Charlotte Street / Chinatown Bus Stop (a one-minute walk away) and Charlotte Street Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away)
Discover flexible meeting rooms in Manchester with Regus
With flexible options throughout the city, Regus provides the ideal solution for businesses seeking high-quality meeting rooms in Manchester.
Whether you’re a startup or an established corporation, in the city centre or the suburbs, Regus has a space to suit your needs.
Book your meeting room in Manchester today.