Once the beating heart of Britain’s industrial age, Salford is fast becoming one of the North’s leading digital and technology hubs. A new generation of businesses and workers is driving innovation along the city’s historic waterfront, transforming its identity from steel and steam to code and creativity.
Figures from Salford City Council reveal that HOST Salford, an innovation and business support hub , has delivered more than £22.5 million in social value over the past two years. The hub has supported over 350 businesses, helped more than 5,000 people gain digital skills and employment, and created over 200 jobs in the city.
For more than a century, Salford’s docks and factories defined its character. When industrial decline hit in the late 20th century, much of the area was left behind. Today, those same docks are at the centre of a new kind of revolution – one powered by data, innovation, and creative technology.
The emergence of Media City as a base for the BBC, ITV, and hundreds of creative companies laid the groundwork for Salford’s digital economy. HOST Salford, operated by IN4 Group in partnership with the council, has built on that foundation by focusing on inclusion and opportunity.
Paul Dennett, Mayor of Salford, said: “Salford is leading the way in digital transformation, creating a more inclusive and resilient economy. This is about ensuring the benefits of innovation reach every part of our community.”
Since 2023, HOST has offered training in coding, AI, gaming, data science, and digital entrepreneurship. It provides affordable workspace and mentoring for start-ups, and runs targeted schemes to help residents develop new skills or launch their own businesses.
According to council data, HOST’s activities have generated a social return on investment of £4.58 for every £1 spent.
Mo Isap, Chief Executive of IN4 Group said: “HOST is proof that inclusive innovation works. When you open the doors to digital skills for everyone—not just those already in tech—you unlock talent that’s been overlooked for too long.”
The digital revolution in Salford is already changing lives.
One recent trainee, Jess, who completed a coding bootcamp at HOST, described the experience as “life changing.”
Jess said: “I never thought tech was something I could do, but the training gave me confidence—now I’m working full-time in a digital job that I never thought I would do.”
HOST’s impact extends beyond individual success stories. The growth of Salford’s tech sector is supporting local supply chains, boosting small businesses, and attracting investment into the region.
HOST is part of a wider ecosystem that includes the University of Salford, The Landing, and HOST GameTech, which focuses on gaming and immersive technologies. Together, these initiatives are positioning the city as a national leader in digital innovation.
Cllr Tracy Kelly, Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Regeneration said: “Every new job in this sector brings wider benefits for Salford’s economy. We’re seeing a new confidence in the city—one built on skills, creativity, and opportunity.”
The transformation has also revitalised the local area. Former industrial land at Salford Quays is now home to offices, studios, and co-working spaces, drawing professionals and entrepreneurs from across Greater Manchester.
Challenges remain. City leaders acknowledge the need to ensure training and opportunities reach every community in Salford, especially those historically underrepresented in digital careers.
HOST and the council are expanding outreach programmes in schools and community centres to help more residents access digital education.
The goal, according to the council, is to make Salford a place “where no one is left behind in the digital economy.”
As the city continues to evolve, Salford’s journey from docks to data stands as one of the most striking regeneration stories in the Northwest—and a model for how former industrial cities can thrive in the 21st century.