Unlike any other city that has a port, Manchester deliberately brought the sea to the heart of the city - with an artificial ship canal dug 100 years ago - which is why, unlike natural ports, Manchester's waterfront is so close to its commercial centre.

Salford Quays - the future home of Media City:UK - already has more than 150 media related businesses. Its theatres, galleries, museums, cinema, shops, bars, restaurants and water sports attract more than 4 million visitors each year; 13,000 people already work here and nearly 7,000 call it home.

The award-winning Imperial War Museum North and The Lowry are highlighted by the Rough Guide to England 2006 as Manchester’s top tourist attractions. Their education programmes reach hundreds of thousands of children across the North.

11 million people live within one hour’s drive of Media City:UK; the motorway network is on the doorstep and Britain’s second airport is just twenty minutes by car. The tram service between central Manchester and Salford Quays takes less than twelve minutes.

Media City:UK will build on all of this.