As 2025 draws to a close, it's time to reflect on a year of remarkable business stories across North West England. From Hollywood glamour on construction sites to pioneering artificial intelligence and colossal industrial operations, the region has continued to demonstrate its economic dynamism and ambition.
Star Power and Sky-High Ambitions
The year saw a touch of Tinseltown arrive in Manchester with the groundbreaking ceremony for the city's future tallest skyscraper. Hollywood legend Robert De Niro joined fellow Nobu co-founders Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Meir Teper to launch the Nobu tower, a development set to house a restaurant, hotel, and luxury residences. Addressing a crowd of 200 guests, De Niro admitted he was still learning about Manchester but was captivated by its "real character and creative passion".
Another famous name shaping the city's skyline is former footballer Gary Neville. At the official opening of the £400m St Michael's development, the property developer spoke of the "responsibility" of such large-scale projects. He argued for more pedestrianisation and green spaces in the city centre to attract young families, suggesting Deansgate could have been transformed into a park.
Passionate Leaders and Pioneering Technology
The region's growth is driven by leaders with formidable vision. James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, is pursuing his father's ambition to make Trafford City "the best retail and leisure destination in the world". His plans include a £400m water park, an ice arena, a surf park, and a luxury hotel, aiming to attract millions of visitors.
Meanwhile, Manchester's tech sector is booming. Liz Scott of the Turing Innovation Catalyst (TIC) Manchester revealed the city now hosts the largest AI cluster outside London, with over 13,500 people working in AI across Greater Manchester. The sector's value is targeted to grow to $15bn. At a TIC showcase in February, pioneering entrepreneurs demonstrated innovative technologies, with one presentation memorably beginning with a yell and the hurling of a giant rulebook to the floor.
Inside the Region's Industrial Powerhouses
Beyond the boardrooms and building sites, 2025 offered fascinating glimpses inside the factories that power the regional economy. In Trafford Park, the Essity paper mill operates a £20m production line that can produce a staggering 4.5 million toilet rolls every single day. The process involves creating man-high, 1.2-tonne rolls of paper—essentially giant toilet rolls—from wood pulp.
Another significant investment was unveiled in Warrington, where Iceland opened a vast new depot. Chief Executive Tarsem Dhaliwal showed off the £100m complex at the Omega logistics hub, which includes a warehouse-sized freezer so cold it forms ice on its walls. The investment is a major commitment to the company's home town.
From the glamour of celebrity-backed developments to the gritty reality of mass manufacturing and frozen logistics, the business landscape of North West England in 2025 was nothing if not diverse. The stories of the past twelve months underscore a region confidently investing in its future, from its physical infrastructure to its cutting-edge intellectual capital.
