Industrial Decline in Greater Manchester 1966-1975: a Components of Change Approach

Abstract

The investigation of manufacturing employment change in Greater Manchester provides a provincial conurbation example to complement the well-documented case of industrial decline in London. Between 1966 and 1975 Greater Manchester lost one-quarter of its manufacturing employment, largely through plant closures. Surviving plants also lost employment while new jobs in plant openings only offset one-quarter of those lost in closures. The movement of industry into and out of the conurbation had a minor impact on employment change. In comparison with metropolitan areas in Development Areas Greater Manchester experienced a higher closure rate and lower opening rate. However, it was concluded that neither improved regional assistance nor existing firms and new establishment creation would provide sufficient new jobs to prevent continued industrial decline.