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With a population of 2.5 million people, Manchester is the third biggest city in the UK and the regional capital of the North West of England. Previously known as a grimy city, it has gone through major renovation and the construction of new buildings especially after the IRA bombing of the city centre in 1996. It is today a rejuvenated, dynamic and lively city. Birthplace of the industrial revolution, the city developed in the 18th century with the cotton and became the centre of manufacturing for the textile industry until its decline in the 1950s. While manufacturing remains important, other sectors have developed such as retail and wholesale, financial and business services making Manchester the largest economic region outside London. Today 80 of the Financial Times top 100 companies are present in the area.
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| August 28, 2008 | | | UTC/GMT is 23:31
0000 UTC
London lies in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone. Daylight Savings Time (known as British Summer Time, or BST) is observed from 2am on the last Sunday in March, when the clocks are put forward an hour to GMT plus one hour, until 2am on the last Sunday in October, when they go back to GMT time. |
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- In the absence of any professional title, courtesy titles of "Mr" and "Mrs" followed by their name is used
- Punctuality is appreciated but short delays are acceptable
- Conservative dress is the norm
- Post work drinks are a tradition and it's good form to buy a round of drinks for colleagues
- One should not have too gentlemanly an attitude with ladies as it could be interpreted as disrespectful
- Courtesy is important and physical demonstration is not appropriate apart from shaking hands
- Giving gifts is not a normal part of British business culture except for a commemorative item or an invitation to dinner to celebrate the conclusion of a deal
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Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK 9th Floor, Rodwell Tower, 111 Piccadilly ; Tel. : + 44 (0) 161 274 4168 ; www.italchamind.co.uk Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Industry Churchgate House, 56 Oxford St; Tel.: +44 (0)161 236 3210 ; www.mcci.co.uk
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Assistant High Commission for Bangladesh 3rd Floor, 28-32 Princess Street, Manchester M1 4LB; Tel.: +44 (0)161 236 4853 ; www.betelco.com Chinese Consulate General Denison House Denison Rd, Rusholme; Tel.: +44 (0)161 224 8672 ; www.fmprc.gov.cn Danish Royal Consulate Elisabeth House, St. Peters Square; Tel.: +44 (0)161 237 9695 ; www.ambassade.dk Trade Commission of Denmark Quay House, Quay Street ; + 44 (0) 161 832 7750 ; www.ambassade.dk Italian Consulate 111 Piccadilly Rodwell Tower ; Tel.: +44 (0)161 236 9024 ; www.esteri.it Netherlands Consulate Apex House, 266 Moseley Road ; Tel.: +44 (0)161 248 2390 ; www.minbuza.nl Royal Norwegian Consulate Churchgate House, 56 Oxford Street ; +44 (0) 161 236 1406 ; www.norway.org.uk Spanish Consulate General Brook House, 70, Spring Gardens; Tel.: +44 (0)161 236 1233 ; www.mae.es Consulate General of Switzerland Portland Tower, Portland St; Tel.: +44 (0)161 236 2933 ; www.eda.admin.ch
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Most large hotels also have business centers that offer many of the same services that independent centers provide. The Works Business Centre Ltd 5 Union St, Ardwick Green; Tel.: +44 (0)161 277 7800 ; www.yell.com Imex Spaces Ltd Imex Spaces Business Park, Hamilton Rd, Longsight; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 256 2756 ; www.yell.com Imex Spaces Ltd Imex Spaces Business Park, Wilsons Park, Monsall Rd, Newton Health; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 250 7018 ; www.yell.com Bruntwood Business Centres Ltd Portland Tower, Portland Street ; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 238 4900 ; www.yell.com Regus 82, King Street; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 935 8000 ; www.regus.com Regus Adamson House, Towers Business Park, Wilmslow Rd, Didsbury; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 955 4200 ; www.regus.com Regus Eagle Court, Concord Business Park, Threapwood Rd; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 932 6001 ; www.regus.com Regus
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Imex Spaces Ltd Imex Spaces Business Centre, Windmill Lane, Denton; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 337 0299 ; www.yell.com APS Ltd The Old Town Hall, Lapwing Lane; Tel.: +44 (0)161 448 9990 Hire Requirements Ltd Unit 6, Long Wood Rd, Trafford Park; Tel.: +44 (0)161 848 7208 Clear Presentations 121 Palatine Rd, Didsbury; Tel.: +44 (0)161 448 2424 Out There Events Ltd Wrendal House, 2, Whitworth St West; Tel.: +44 (0)161 244 5825
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Berlitz Language Centre 28th floor Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza; Tel.: +44 (0)161 228 3607 ; www.yell.com Aplin Translation Services John Dalton House 121 Deansgate; Tel.: +44 (0)161 828 8289 Languages for Business Centre Ltd Alexander House, 94 Talbot Road ; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 877 8400
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TNT Tel. :+44 (0) 800 100 600 DHL Worldwide Express Unit 3-5, The Parkway, Trafford Park; Tel.: + 44 (0)870 1100300 ; www.yell.com Secure Couriers 94 Marbury Road, Stockport ; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 621 0123 ; www.yell.com Bonds Worldwide Express Unit 3, Willian Entreprise Cantre, Fourth Avenue, Trafford Park; Tel.: +44 (0)161 707 0007
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All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels also offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. Outside hotels, cyber cafes are available including: Get Connected 342, Oxford Road ; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 273 5000 ; www.yell.com Syberience 12 Newton Street; Tel.: +44 (0) 161 236 5731
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Citizens of Brazil, Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Mexico, Germany, France and the U.S do not need a visa for entry into UK. Citizens of the People's Republic of China need to apply for visa. For adults entering from the non-EU countries, duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverage of more than 22 proof, or 2 liters of champagne and wine; 60 grams of perfume, and other goods to the value of GBP75. For adults entering from the EU countries, duty-free allowances are 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos and 200 cigars or 1 kilograms of tobacco; 10 liters of alcoholis beverage of more than 22 proof, or 90 liters of wine (20 liters of fortified wine), and 110 liters of beer.
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The country code for all of the United Kingdom is 44. The city code for Manchester is 161.
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Police, Ambulance, or Fire 999 General Emergency 112 Emergency Dental Care (24-hour) +44 (0)161 845 4647
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To call a foreign number from Manchester, dial 00, then the country code, then the area code, and then the number. Dial 100 to get the operator. Dial 155 to get the international operator. Dial 192 to reach the U.K. directory assistance. Dial 153 to get international directory assistance. Public phones are widely available and can be used with either coins or phone cards.
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The cellular standards in Manchester are ETACS for analogue and GSM for digital. Major service providers include Vodafone, Cellnet, Manx Telecom, Jersey Telecoms, Orange, One2One and Guernsey Telecoms. If you choose to bring your cellular phone into the U.K, be sure to chek with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service. Cellular phone numbers begin with 3. The three digit dialing code indentifies the carrier.
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The unit of currency is the pound sterling (GBP), which contains 100 pennies or pence (p). There are 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100- pond notes; 1- and 2-pound coins; and 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20- and 50-pence coins. Pence or pennies are invariably abbreviated to "pee" in speech. Foreign currency and travelers' checks can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change (private-exchange booths), and at certain travel agencies. Only pounds sterling are accepted as legal tender for cash transactions. Foreign currency must be exchanged for pounds at a bank or a currency exchange. ATMs are widely available. Travelers' checks are not generally accepted in shops and restaurants, though most major hotels will take them. They can be exchanged for cash in banks, change offices, and certain travel agencies. Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
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- Restaurants 10 to 15 percent, unless a service charge has already been added to the bill, in which case no further tip is required.
- Bars Not expected.
- Airport Porter GBP1 per bag.
- Taxis 10 to 15 percent.
- Hotels a service charge is generally included in the bill; and no further tip is necessary.
- Haircare/Personal Services 10 to 15 percent.
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London lies in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone. Daylight Savings Time (known as British Summer Time, or BST) is observed from 2am on the last Sunday in March, when the clocks are put forward an hour to GMT plus one hour, until 2am on the last Sunday in October, when they go back to GMT time.
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VAT is 17.5% in Manchester and is almost always included in quoted prices.
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Electricity is 240V, 50Hz AC in the U.K. Three-pin plugs with square-section pins are used in the U.K.
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The 2 principal mainline railway stations in the city, Piccadilly and Victoria, provide direct and frequent services to the U.K's major cities. London can be reached in less than two and a half hours, and the opening of the Channel Tunnel means rail passengers can reach Paris in 5 hours 40 minutes. Greater Manchester encompasses 142 miles of track and 98 passenger stations. M66, M61, M56 and M62 (west) connect the city to other parts of the region. Manchester has shown U.K cities the way ahead for comfortable commuting by opening the Metrolink Light Rail System in 1992. The system is the U.K's first onstreet light rapid transport, linking Bury in the north with Altrncham in the south via the city centre. Extentions expected for 2006. The bus is to a priority fore the city and there are lots of lines which exist. - Bus compagnies in Greater Manchester for timetable and fare information: Tel.: +44 (0)161 228 7811
- Local Train Services: Tel.: +44 (0)161 228 7811
- Metrolink: Tel.: +44 (0)161 205 2000
- Manchester Airport: Tel.: +44 (0)161 489 3000
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There are no serious health hazards. You do not need any vaccinations before visiting the U.K.
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- New Year's Day
January 1- Good Friday
Last Friday before Easter- Easter Monday
Monday after Easter in mid-March or April- May Bank Holiday
First Monday in May- Spring Bank Holiday
Monday in late May- Summer Bank Holiday
Monday at the end of August November 5- Christmas
December 25- Boxing Day
December 26
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For a sophisticated atmosphere and fine dining, The River Room at the Rocco Forte Lowry hotel will rejoice Marco Pierre White devotees with its inventive menu insisting on seasonal produce. Terence Conran's relaxed and informal Zinc Bar & Grill is well located in the nicely restored Triangle centre. The Lincoln serves excellent contemporary British food and the menu changes weekly. For classic French bistro food, the mid-priced Le Petit Blanc Brasserie by renowned chef Raymond Blanc is a classic with its double baked Roquefort soufflé. The Cantonese Yang Sing and its sister house Little Yang Sing, considered the best Chinese in the country serve wonderful authentic dim sum. Other good choices include Koh Samui (Thai), Piccolino (Italian) with its good antipasti and pizzas served in a New-York style dining room or Greens considered the best veggie in town. Outside of Manchester, Juniper, a one Michelin star, seduces by its playful menu including a delicious roast saddle of Cumbrian hare with foie gras.
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The Triangle on Exchange square, holds a Selfridges and mainstream British shops like Jigsaw, Molton Brown or Space NK. Opposite is the world's largest Marks & Spencer for traditional English treats. Nearby, designer shopping is best at Harvey Nichols while local trendy designers can be found at Geese and Oyster.
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For a sky view of the city, Urbis museum's glass elevator will take you 100ft to the top. The museum also exhibits interactive displays of life in different cities around the world. The Manchester Art Gallery, within its impressive neo-Grecian surroundings, hosts impressive pieces or art including a famous collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and also works from British masters. While walking in the old part of the city, visit the cathedral with its magnificent original medieval architecture. Not far away is The Royal Exchange, house of the city's cotton traders in its time, with its impressive trading room. A few blocks down on Albert Square, the Victorian Gothic Town Hall is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic style. For football fans, it is a must to go and see Manchester United play in the Old Trafford stadium.
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