Meet the people of New Islington

Originally from Bristol, Ian is a senior development producer for the BBC. He fronts BBC Backstage, the BBC's early adopter network to encourage participation and support creativity through open innovation.

“When I first heard that the BBC were moving to Manchester,” says Ian, “I thought NO WAY. I had never lived up north before and I believed all the stereoptypes.” But Ian, who was living in the London borough of Woolwich at the time, lived up to his early adopter claims and spent some time researching the area before moving up three years ago. “I soon realised I could afford somewhere really close to the city centre,” he says, “having been used to driving across London.”

It’s close to the city centre without any of the disadvantages.

One of the first BBC employees to have moved north, Ian says he was pleasantly surprised. “It was really lively,” he said, “and there were loads of diverse areas but not so far apart.” Ian spent three days looking at flats and gauging how much he could afford to buy. He settled on Islington Wharf and hasn’t looked back.

Even in the short time he's been here, Ian feels like he's seen a lot of changes: “It really does feel like they’re getting on with things,” he says, “I like the idea of being part of something new and exciting.”

There are ways Ian’s life could be improved. “I can’t wait for the tram to be finished,” he says, “I should be able to be at work in 27 minutes with a change. With no change, it could be as little as 15 minutes, which beats driving across London.” And he’s keen for the community to develop a little more. “There’s a nice mix of young professionals, older people and even families,” he says, “but we could have more going on between Islington Wharf and Chips and the other buildings.”But East Manchester has the potential to be great, says Ian. “It has the potential to attract a lot of the Northern Quarter crowd and once the tram line is open, that will make a huge difference.”

Tracey Langford, her husband Wayne and their two children moved from Appleton two years ago. “We had a large family home,” says Langford, “but Wayne and I were rattling around in it because our children were at university.” She adds, “We fancied a total change and after a two-year search we found the perfect place.”

The only thing that woke me when we first moved in were the geese having a bit of a turf war on the canal.

Tracey, who runs her own business, says the idea of a community appealed to them too: “We didn’t want to live in an soulless place where nobody spoke in the lift.” She adds, “We also wanted a high proportion of owner occupiers so that people really cared about the building. There is a mix of properties here with houses that face on to the communal garden, which are ideal for younger families.”

And that communal aspect prevails. Says Tracey, “In fact, the first Islintgon Wharf baby was born here a couple of months ago and the whole building was invited to the first birthday party of one of our residents!”

One of the best things about the area, says Tracey, is the space and the clear views. But improvements can be made. “We are looking forward to the new canal basin being completed, where the boats will be able to moor up, and Tutti Frutti Way, a walk that will connect the canal basin and the boating lake on Mill Street,” she says, “And what we all want now are coffee shops and restaraunts and some independent retailers to come in to the area.”

Why choose New Islington?

“We felt this area had fantastic potential and think that over the next five years prices will rise. It’s amazing that after a pleasant few minutes’ walk down the canal you can be in the heart of Piccadilly but it is quiet enough at night to get a good night’s sleep.”

Twenty-three-year-old James is a teacher from Brighton. He moved up to Manchester with his girlfriend Jenny (who’s from Wigan originally) when they graduated from university. Settling in the Deansgate area, the couple liked it there but, says James, “the facilities weren’t great.” So James entered a Galaxy Radio competition to win a year’s free accommodation at Islington Wharf, with all expenses paid. And he hasn’t looked back.

It’s a really lovely walk through the Northern Quarter to get the tram to work. And it only takes me half an hour door-to-door.

He says, “Until we came here I hadn’t really noticed the level of development in this part of town but there are loads of great apartments further up the canal we weren’t aware of and some really nice-looking buildings.”

At Islington Wharf, James and Jenny spend most of their time in the communal garden. “It’s fantastic,” he says, “Being able to sit outside in a hammock when the weather’s nice is brilliant.”

Despite this, James thinks New Islington could do with a bit more public green space. “More grassy areas would be good,” he says, “and I know there are plans to have more cafes and shops and that would really make a difference.”

But for the time being the friendly atmosphere makes up for it. “We’ve got to know the other residents and there have been a few parties,” he says, “there’s even an ice-cream festival later this month…”

Why choose New Islington?

“Manchester,” says James, “reminds me of Brighton in so many ways with its nightlife and diverse range of activities.” He adds, “And New Islington is attracting lots of young likeminded people and there is lots of exciting development taking place.”