After over a decade in Manchester city centre, I Love MCR has found a new home in MediaCity, marking a return to its Salford roots and joining one of the UK’s most exciting creative destinations.
The local media platform has officially settled into its new headquarters, bringing a core of 10 office-based employees and an extended network of over 10 specialist freelancers, to join the growing hub of creative, media and tech innovators in MediaCity’s FLEX workspace in White Tower.
The move follows several transitional years. After being originally based at the Royal Exchange on St Ann’s Square for close to a decade, I Love MCR shifted to a hybrid model during and after the pandemic. A temporary base at WeWork in Manchester city centre helped bridge the gap, but a more permanent home was always the goal, which it has now found in MediaCity.
The relocation comes following MediaCity launching its new state-of-the-art Content Studio in the same building, and advances in its next phase of development, attracting innovation, purpose-led organisations to join its ever-growing ecosystem.
Chris Greenhalgh, founder and CEO of I Love MCR, said: “We feel energised to have found our new home at MediaCity. There’s a real neighbourhood vibe, with independent businesses, a buzzing creative scene and meaningful collaboration happening all around us. We honestly wish we’d moved sooner, but it feels like we’re here just at the right time!
“I Love MCR was born as a creative response to the 2011 riots that erupted across Salford (first) and Manchester, so this really feels like a full circle moment. We’ve come back to the roots of where the brand was founded.”
It’s a minor geographical difference based purely on which side of the Irwell you find yourself on, but the irony will probably not be lost on some of those from this side, who’ve spend decades listening to Salfordians proudly proclaim that they’re a city in their own right and DEFINITELY not part of Manchester.
Caroline Aikman, director of marketing & place at MediaCity added: “We’ve welcomed I Love MCR to the MediaCity community with open arms and immense excitement. They’ve built a brand rooted in positivity and purpose, which aligns with the energy and creativity that’s driving MediaCity forward.”
