It has already attracted the attention of Hollywood – but now the Northern Quarter is winning plaudits closer to home after it was crowned the best neighbourhood in Britain.
The city-centre district – often dubbed the cultural heart of Manchester – won the title ahead of rivals from Belfast and Glasgow.
Judges of the 2011 Great Neighbourhood of the Year award praised the Northern Quarter for undergoing ‘significant redevelopment and diversification’ in recent years.
They said the area had become a ‘vibrant home’ to a mix of fashion designers, creative agencies, art galleries and popular bars and restaurants. The area - home to the iconic Afflecks Palace – is known for its cosmopolitan mix of shops and apartments.
It pulled off a major coup this year when it was chosen as the location for filming of the forthcoming Hollywood blockbuster, Captain America, starring Chris Evans and Samuel L Jackson.
The latest award was given by the Academy of Urbanism, whose members include top architects, planners, engineers, developers and designers. They aim to recognise the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments in the country.
Judges were impressed by the Northern Quarter’s charm after a visit over the summer.
John Thompson, chairman of the Academy of Urbanism, said: “Thanks to a long-term programme of development and regeneration, the Northern Quarter has become a vibrant contemporary extension to Manchester city centre, while retaining its own character.
“The Academy of Urbanism created these awards to recognise places which have helped enhance local quality of life – the Northern Quarter is a wonderful example of this.”
Other winners included Glasgow for European City of the Year and Hebden Bridge for Great Town of the Year.
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Oh dear...watch out for the sulky Londoncentric national press doing what they usually do when there is a part of England that wins some sort of award people within the M25 noose feel belongs to them, with references to districts north and west to the quarter (Harpurhey, Collyhurst - and perhaps even Strangeways), and the usual tiresome Gunchester yelping.
Type your comment here...We like that alot. Well done MNQ - how about pushing the designer theme even more. Lots of new young talent just bursting to explode onto the scene in and around Afflecks - <a href="http://www.manchestermarkets.com/Central-Markets/Fashion-Markets/Fashion-Market_2_p10.asp">Manchester Fashion Market</a>
for example.
Edie O'hara
Chesire! now't but a poor mans Essex.
Neighbourhood??? Best one in Britain???!
Isnt it great today, that what constitutes the best 'neighbourhood' in britian involves an area where not many people actually live. And the people that do live there sure as hell couldnt tell you who any of their own 'neighbours' actually are.
A neighbourhood made up of mainly trendy pubs and quirky shops? Avante garde man...
“The Academy of Urbanism created these awards to recognise places which have helped enhance local quality of life...."
Whose life? The handful of middle class students who think that Manchester is still a happening city? Or those who think the 'Northern Quarter' is actually a neighbourhood rather than just a collection of manky back streets reclaimed from junkies and hookers and sold to idiots as 'an experiment in urban living'?
Tripe and more tripe.