Will there be greater opportunity for business growth in the North under Andy Burnham?

The North of England is in the spotlight thanks to Andy Burnham’s recent appointment as Prime Minister. And, given that he has spent the last nine years serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, it’s natural that local businesses are considering what this means for them.

Manchester is widely considered a thriving hub of activity and growth, and it’s likely that this will accelerate in the coming months and years. Parts of the Number 10 operation have now been moved to Manchester – known as Number 10 North – in a bid to devolve power away from London, bring more decision-making power to the North and drive growth across the UK. 

In theory, this also means faster, more locally focused decisions will be made to benefit the region more directly. 

As Mayor, Andy Burnham’s vision was to give Manchester greater control over its economic future with the aim of making it one of the UK’s leading places to live, work, and do business. Will this change now that he is PM, or will there be even more opportunities for growth? And what has already been put in place to make Manchester the place to do business?

The ambition for the North

The Greater Manchester budget for 2026/27 is set at £3bn, and more than £1.1bn of this is to support long-term economic growth, with £360m allocated to support business, innovation, skills and local communities.

And with targeted investment in high growth sectors, such as technology, renewable energy and sustainability, comes closer collaboration between public authorities and employers, leading to more business opportunities. 

With a Prime Minister who is focused on delivering on a regional level – not just at the centralised London level – businesses can be confident that it’s a good time to grow. Manchester, in particular, has a lot to offer those businesses just starting out or planning to invest in the region.

Thriving business culture

Research from Manchester Metropolitan University indicates that there are around 125,000 businesses in Manchester, accounting for around 39 per cent of all businesses in the North West, This makes it one of the UK’s largest regional business communities, providing invaluable opportunities for collaboration and learning, particularly for those just starting out.

Adding to this, there is a strong startup and entrepreneurial culture in the city. Data from Companies House registrations shows that in 2025, 23,500 new companies were registered in Greater Manchester, making it one of the UK’s most active regions for startups.

There’s strong momentum behind Manchester too, and with sections of Government now based there, this is only surely set to grow with an increase in professionals and policy makers to the area. Aside from those already established in their careers, the city has a large, young talent pool thanks to its five universities which produce thousands of graduates each year. 

Key to making the most of this talent and startup culture is providing sufficient support. The Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub reports that it has supported more than 120,000 businesses through offering advice, funding support and innovation programmes to nurture creativity and entrepreneurship. 

Ultimately, businesses need strong local networks, commercial opportunities, talent and support to grow, and Manchester seems to have it all. 

Investment in transport

A key priority in Manchester has been the creation of its integrated transport network, The Bee Network.

Buses, trams, cycling and walking routes are all being brought together under a single, locally managed system, making it the UK’s first fully integrated public transport system outside of London.

The scheme has been backed by £482m worth of funding in the Greater Manchester 2026/27 budget, and local rail is also due to be integrated into the system from late 2026.

A well-connected, reliable transport system is vital for businesses to thrive, and shouldn’t be underestimated. Not only does it give employers access to a wider talent pool by making commuting easier and more desirable, it also increases footfall for town centres and local businesses.

SMEs are likely to benefit too, helping them stay well connected while creating more opportunities for networking and growth.

The growth of flexible workspaces

The traditional office set up has been in decline for several years, making way for flexible workspaces. Manchester now has one of the UK’s largest flexible office markets outside London, ranking second in the country according to the Coworking Industry Report Q2 2026.

More businesses are now seeking flexibility, collaboration, and cost-efficiency over traditional office leases, and flexible workspaces offer an ideal solution. These spaces allow for shorter contracts, allow businesses to hire desks or small rooms rather than larger spaces that may go underutilised, and mean avoiding the significant upfront costs that can come with larger offices.

All of this is ideal for startups and scale ups alike. Meanwhile, networking and collaboration between members are often at the core of flexible workspaces, and these opportunities are invaluable for those smaller businesses that are looking to grow. 

What more needs to be done?

There’s no doubt that Manchester is a great place for businesses to grow, and we can be confident that this will only continue under Andy Burnham’s premiership.

But despite the optimism, there will be challenges too. Naturally, as popularity in the city rises, so too does competition. This means that access to opportunities, investment and talent all becomes more difficult, particularly for those smaller businesses that have fewer resources than their larger counterparts.

With this in mind, policy makers must ensure that SMEs can access the support and funding they need to thrive. Success and the means to get there shouldn’t just be reserved for those who are more established.

Equally, ensuring there is continued investment and opportunities, and that these are spread across Greater Manchester so that everyone in the region benefits, is important. We need clear long-term strategies for economic development to encourage more businesses to invest with greater confidence if the North is to keep its position as a hub for growth.

There’s no doubt that there are huge opportunities for business growth in the region, and with the right approach, the only way is up.