‘That’s the way the city works’: how the UAE changed the face of Andy Burnham’s Manchester

The influence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Manchester landscape has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade. Once a site of relative neglect with the Rochdale Canal marking its edge, Manchester's Northern Quarter has blossomed into a vibrant hub of trendy bars, upscale eateries, and artisanal bakeries.

This metamorphosis can be traced back to 2013, when the UK government sought to mend relations with the UAE following the Arab Spring and Egypt's long-ruling dictator, Hosni Mubarak, was overthrown. In response, the UAE offered lucrative investment deals, sparking a wave of development projects in Manchester. One of the most notable outcomes was the £1 billion Manchester Life scheme, orchestrated by Manchester City Council and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

The scheme aimed to construct 6,000 homes and other developments on prime city center land, purchased by the council for £5 million. However, progress has been slow, with only 2,039 of the promised homes completed, leaving a gap of nearly 20% between the projected and actual outcomes. While the council pledged to allocate at least 20% of new developments to affordable housing, only 8% of the completed properties fell into this category, and none were part of the Manchester Life scheme.

The influx of new, expensive properties has sparked resentment among long-time residents, who now grapple with issues such as parking, food insecurity, and a perceived cultural divide. This growing disparity between affluent residents and those struggling to make ends meet has fueled concerns about Manchester becoming a "northern version of London."