BBC ‘added £450m to Manchester’ economy

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

The BBC’s relocation to MediaCity in Salford has generated an estimated £450 million for Greater Manchester’s economy and created around 5,000 jobs over the past 15 years. This investment has spurred regional growth, encouraged private sector involvement, and fueled calls for further government decentralisation to sustain economic development outside London.

The BBC’s presence in Greater Manchester has contributed an estimated £450 million to the local economy and supported the creation of approximately 5,000 jobs over the past 15 years, the broadcaster has reported. This milestone coincides with the 15th anniversary of the BBC’s relocation to MediaCity in Salford Quays, a move described by the corporation as the “single biggest shift in the history of British broadcasting” and a significant commitment to the region.

Since its move in 2011, the BBC has served as the anchor tenant at MediaCity, initially established to foster growth in the creative and media industries outside London and the South East. The corporation’s operations there have been linked to a steady economic impact, reportedly growing at 7 percent annually since 2019. The BBC has also collaborated with more than 200 small and medium-sized enterprises in the area.

Several well-known programmes have been filmed at MediaCity, including Match of the Day, Blue Peter, and Dragons’ Den. According to Alice Webb, chief executive of MediaCity, the BBC’s presence has played a key role in “de-risking” the region, attracting private sector investment that might otherwise have bypassed Greater Manchester.

The broadcaster’s contribution to the local economy has been highlighted as an example of successful economic devolution by Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester. Burnham advocates for further decentralisation of government functions to empower regional authorities and has proposed relocating more governmental activities to what he terms “No 10 North” in Manchester.

The British Chambers of Commerce has called on the Labour Party to engage more closely with the private sector in its devolution plans. Shevaun Haviland, the director general of the industry group, emphasized the importance of consultation, stating that businesses desire devolution to act as a robust driver for both local and national economic growth.

While the economic benefits associated with the BBC’s move to Salford are widely acknowledged, discussions continue regarding how best to build on this momentum through broader governmental decentralisation and private sector involvement in regional development strategies.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.