While much of the UK property market is experiencing a period of subdued activity, the North West continues to demonstrate impressive resilience.
At Gascoigne Halman, our latest figures indicate that the region is bucking the wider trend. Our offices across Cheshire, the High Peak and South Manchester are continuing to agree strong levels of sales and lettings, underlining the ongoing demand for properties.
Our forward pipeline of property sales set to exchange is currently 11% ahead of where it stood a year ago, giving us confidence that 2026 is set to be another strong year for Gascoigne Halman. This follows what was our second-best year on record in 2025, driven by both an increase in market share and the underlying strength of the local economy.
Across the UK, the property market is currently characterised by caution. However, our experience across the North West tells a different story. Buyer and tenant demand remains robust and the market continues to show strong levels of activity.
One of the key drivers behind this performance is the continued economic strength of Manchester, which plays a vital role in supporting the wider regional housing market. As the city basks in the national news attention Andy Burnham is generating, its buoyant property market continues to filter out into surrounding areas, boosting consumer and investor confidence.
We are also seeing shifts in buyer behaviour that are helping to underpin the market. Lifestyle considerations are becoming increasingly important, with house hunters today prioritising space, surroundings and quality of life. At the same time, the rise of hybrid working continues to deliver buyers greater flexibility. Living further from city centres like Manchester is now viable, particularly for those who only visit their office once or twice a week. This has increased the appeal of commutable areas such as the High Peak, blending strong transport links with the chance to live in picturesque locations like Marple Bridge, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Glossop.
As we move into the summer months, the message is one of steady optimism as the North West continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. With a strong pipeline, active buyer demand, and a supportive regional economy, we expect the market to remain stable and positive in the months ahead. For buyers, sellers and landlords alike, this presents a reassuring backdrop and a clear indication that, locally at least, the market remains very much open for business.
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