Ahead of our appearance at the RHS's very first Urban Show, we're taking time to appreciate all the firsts that this city has experienced (and there are quite a lot of them!). 

As Manchester has been our home for over 90 years, here are just a few of our favourite facts that you need to know about Manchester. 

Manchester's Iconic Music Scene

Manchester is considered the birthplace of indie music, having produced seminal bands such as The Hollies, Joy Division, New Order, The Stone Roses, Oasis, 1975, and The Smiths. And even today, the city centre is abuzz with local shows, live performances, and clubs. 

The Birthplace of the Suffragettes


Image: 'Our Emmeline' Statue In Manchester. Credit: Manchester Metropolitan University.

Emmeline Pankhurst was an organiser of the Suffragette movement. Born in Moss Side, Manchester, Emmeline and her two daughters took their radicalism to new heights in order to secure suffrage for both married and unmarried women.

She soon founded the Women's Social & Political Union in 1903 in Manchester. A bronze sculpture of Emmeline named 'Rise Up, Women', or 'Our Emmeline', was erected in the city centre in 2018. If you're around town and would like to pay her a visit, head over to St Peter's Square!

In 2017, UNESCO Recognised Manchester as a City of Literature

Thanks to its 4 historic libraries, 23 public ones, 2 universities, 2 writing schools, 40+ cultural events, and the Manchester Literature Festival, UNESCO called Manchester's bid 'high quality' and considered it a good example for other cities to follow. The National Geographic also included Manchester in its Best of the World 2023 selection!

The World's First Stored-Program Electronic Digital Computer


Image: SSEM 'The Baby'. Credit: Wikipedia

The Small-Scale Experimental Machine, known as SSEM, or the 'Baby', was designed and built by F.C Williams and Tom Kilburn at The University of Manchester, and made its first successful run of a program on the 21st of June 1948. 

It was the first machine with similar components to the modern computer. It was also the first to store data and user programs, processing it at electronic speed. 

Vimto Was Born

Vimto was created in 1908 in Manchester by John Noel Nichols (1883-1966), a wholesaler of herbs, spices, and medicines. Originally, it was designed as a herbal tonic to give drinkers 'Vim and Vigour'. To this day, their secret recipe is only known by a 'select few', and remains locked away!