Manchester’s digital agency scene is busy, competitive, and getting more attention every year. Many agencies have clustered around the Northern Quarter and Ancoats. These areas offer space and character without the London price tag.
However, you are never far away from a digital agency wherever you are in Manchester, I have found, whether that's either end of Portland Street, Spinningfields, or any journey in between.
The city’s universities regularly feed new talent into studios and agencies, and some of the bigger players keep close ties with them.
Creative tech events happen throughout the year - some small and casual, and others that bring people in from all over the country. Now if those running digital conferences could stop inviting washed-up Z-list pop stars to talk at the events - and not naming stages such things as 'Factory Stage' - then this would be very welcomed.
Agencies here tend to stay earthy, with a focus on delivery. But there are some really creative agencies and figureheads that match those anywhere in the country.
While some staff still leave for London (sometimes in a remote capacity), a lot choose to stay local. An abundance of smart tower block apartments and the always buzzing nightlife do a lot to help people to move to the city.
