Greater Manchester sets out investment to support city-region’s music legacy

Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig has pledged a £2 million investment in the city-region’s music scene, improving access to rehearsal and production space.

The support comes on top of the £4 million Culture Fund investment, announced earlier in October, that will support music projects from grassroots venues to major institutions. Together, funding will provide practical support, and ensure there are jobs for musicians in their communities across Greater Manchester.

Music is a huge part of Greater Manchester’s identity and its economy. The city-region has over 1,100 premises that play live music across the 10 boroughs, it contributes over 11,000 jobs, and is at the heart of a wider creative industries sector which generates about £1.4 billion every single year. Economists report the Brit Awards’ move to Manchester for the 2026 ceremony provided a £5 million boost for the city region, alongside creating 3,000 temporary jobs, equivalent to 15,497 days of employment.

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“Greater Manchester is made of music, and music in Greater Manchester is for everyone. From small venues to world-class institutions, we’ve got one of the strongest music scenes in the world. Our new plan, backed by £2m investment, is all about creating the conditions for the next generation of artists, businesses, venues and music professionals to succeed. 

Addressing Beyond the Music’s Creative Industries AI Summit on Friday 9th October 2026, the Mayor also set out a bold plan for diversifying opportunities in the music industry, alongside commitments to support AI literacy for music professionals, and work with partners to monitor the impact of new technologies on employment, income and diversity in Greater Manchester’s music sector.

More than 700 stakeholders have helped shape the Greater Manchester Music Plan, giving the city-region a comprehensive picture of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The Plan is set to go GMCA’s formal approval process in December this year.