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Location
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Manchester is a vibrant, exciting city located in the North-west of England, in the middle of the UK.
It is a cosmopolitan city-region with a lively, rich and diverse cultural heritage. Manchester is at the heart of the largest regional economic area in the UK, with more than 5 million people resident within the Greater Manchester area. Manchester was at the hub of Britain's Industrial Revolution and so has historical roots likely to be of particular interest to IIRA congress delegates. Its economy was initially based on the cotton and textile industries but today employment in Manchester has shifted towards the service sector with more than 200,000 people employed in financial and professional services alone.
The Conference will be held in part of the University of
Manchester in the centre of the City. Getting around the City is easy
and most places of historical and cultural interest, as well as diverse
restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, are within walking distance
of the conference. There is an excellent public transport system, including
the Metrolink tramway.
Delegates will have a wide choice of accommodation – ranging from
good quality ensuite student rooms, through economy hotel to 5 star luxury,
all within easy walking distance of the conference venue and all the attractions
of this 24 hour city.
Getting There
Manchester’s international airport is one of the 20 largest in
the world and has flights to over 200 destinations world-wide. There is
an efficient train link from the airport to the City.
International delegates should use Manchester airport if at all possible
for ease and cheapness of travel. A number of budget airlines operate
to and from Manchester, as well as the major national carriers.
Getting to the rest of Britain
Manchester commands an excellent geographical position and so provides
a great starting point for delegates who wish to extend their stay before
or after the Congress to explore other parts of the UK. It is well connected
to Britain’s motorway and rail networks. There is easy access, for
example, to the beautiful scenery of the English Lake District and the
Peak District and into Wales for the wonderful Snowdonia National Park.
Direct trains go from Manchester to major cities in Scotland and the direct
train journey to London takes just over two hours (pre-booked rail tickets
can be cheaper than on the day purchase).
Weather
September is an ideal time to visit Britain. The weather is always difficult to predict, but early September is generally mild. Last year it was very warm (by British standards), dry and sunny.
Travel
Manchester is served by an international airport, two mainline rail stations and a network of motorways.
If you travel by rail, Manchester Piccadilly is the closest station, with the Fairfield Street/London Road exit being just a few minutes walk from the Renold Building.
From Piccadilly Station, follow the signs for “Taxis”. Immediately outside the station main entrance, turn right and cross London Road, then cross Fairfield Street to the Bulls Head pub. Turn down South Pump Street and proceed under the railway arch (passing Echoes Nursery on your right). Turn right at the Vision Centre and follow the signs to the Manchester Conference Centre. This walk takes approximately five minutes.
If you travel by air, Manchester International Airport, which some budget airlines use, is approx 10 miles from the Renold Building. A taxi from the airport will cost around £15. Alternatively, make use of the rail link between the Airport and Piccadilly railway station, which runs every 15 minutes and a single ticket costs approximately £3. The station is adjacent to terminal two and is clearly signposted within all terminals.
Alternative budget airlines fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which is approx 33 miles from Manchester city centre. A taxi from this airport will cost around £60. Alternatively, make use of the direct bus service, Arriva Airlink 700 to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, which runs every 30 minutes. The journey time is approx 1¼ hours and costs approximately £5.
Further details can be found at: www.conference.manchester.ac.uk/meetingmanchester/location
Useful Links
Conference venue - The University of Manchester
