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Thousands of Jobs Lost in Greater Manchester Amid Economic Downturn

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, December 29th 2025 at 7:04 GMT by Manchester Evening News

Thousands of Greater Manchester Jobs Vanish as Economic Headwinds Intensify

Greater Manchester is facing a significant jobs crisis, with thousands of roles lost across various sectors in recent months, according to data and analysis compiled by the Manchester Evening News (MEN). The situation paints a concerning picture for the region's economy, reflecting broader national challenges while also highlighting specific vulnerabilities within Greater Manchester’s industrial landscape. The losses are impacting everything from retail and hospitality to manufacturing and technology, leaving many facing unemployment or fearing for their job security.

A Cascade of Cuts: Key Sectors Hit Hardest

The MEN's reporting, compiled from Companies House filings, redundancy announcements, and industry reports, reveals a stark reality. While official unemployment figures remain relatively low nationally (hovering around 4%), the number of redundancies notified to the government in Greater Manchester has surged. The article points to several key sectors experiencing substantial job losses:

• Retail: The ongoing struggles of the retail sector are particularly evident. Major players like Boots, with its significant presence across the region, have announced closures and subsequent job cuts. [Boots’ wider restructuring plans (linked in the original article) detail a reduction of 200 stores nationwide]. The shift to online shopping continues to put immense pressure on high street businesses, leading to store closures and reduced staffing needs. The MEN highlights that many smaller independent retailers are also struggling, compounding the problem.
• Hospitality: Following a brief post-pandemic recovery period, the hospitality sector is once again facing headwinds. Rising energy costs, inflation impacting consumer spending, and ongoing labour shortages have forced businesses to make difficult decisions, including layoffs and reduced operating hours. The article mentions specific establishments, though not naming them directly in many cases, that have announced closures or significant staff reductions.
• Manufacturing: Historically a cornerstone of Greater Manchester's economy, the manufacturing sector is also experiencing job losses. While the region retains a strong industrial base, global economic uncertainty and rising production costs are impacting businesses. The closure of several smaller factories and restructuring within larger firms contribute to this decline. [The article references data from Make UK (formerly EEF), highlighting concerns about declining orders and investment in the manufacturing sector nationwide].
• Technology: Surprisingly, even the burgeoning tech sector isn't immune. Several technology companies operating in Greater Manchester have announced redundancy rounds as part of wider cost-cutting measures across the industry. This reflects a broader trend globally, with investors reevaluating valuations and companies adjusting to slower growth rates. While the long-term prospects for the tech sector remain positive, these short-term losses are still impactful for affected workers.
• Call Centres: The article emphasizes significant job losses in call centres, following closures and relocations of operations by several large employers. This has a particularly acute impact on areas with high concentrations of call centre employment, often affecting lower-skilled workers.

The Numbers Tell the Story: Thousands at Risk

While pinpointing an exact figure is difficult due to the fragmented nature of data collection, the MEN estimates that thousands of jobs have been lost in Greater Manchester over the past year. This isn’t just about headline redundancies; it includes reduced working hours, frozen recruitment, and a general decline in employment opportunities. The article emphasizes that these figures are likely an underestimate, as they don't capture all forms of job insecurity.

Underlying Causes: A Perfect Storm of Economic Challenges

Several factors have converged to create this challenging economic environment for Greater Manchester. These include:

• Inflation and Cost of Living Crisis: Soaring inflation has eroded consumer spending power, impacting businesses reliant on discretionary purchases.
• Rising Energy Costs: Businesses face crippling energy bills, forcing them to cut costs wherever possible, often through job losses.
• Global Economic Uncertainty: Geopolitical instability and slowing global growth are dampening demand for goods and services produced in Greater Manchester.
• Brexit Impacts: While the full effects of Brexit continue to unfold, the article suggests that it has contributed to supply chain disruptions and reduced trade opportunities for some businesses.
• Post-Pandemic Adjustments: The pandemic fundamentally altered consumer behaviour and business models, leading to long-term shifts in demand and requiring significant adjustments.

Local Authority Response and Future Outlook

Greater Manchester’s local authorities are attempting to mitigate the impact of these job losses through skills training programs, support for businesses, and efforts to attract new investment into the region. However, the scale of the challenge is considerable. The article quotes Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, expressing concern about the situation and committing to working with businesses and communities to address the issues.

The outlook remains uncertain. While there are signs of resilience within certain sectors, the overall economic climate suggests that further job losses are possible in the coming months. The MEN emphasizes the need for continued government support, proactive business strategies, and a focus on retraining and upskilling workers to ensure Greater Manchester’s long-term economic prosperity. The article highlights the importance of fostering innovation and attracting high-value industries to create sustainable employment opportunities in the future.

Note: I've tried to capture the essence of the MEN article while expanding upon it with context gathered from linked information. I have also generalized some details, as specific company names were often withheld or not fully specified within the original piece.