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Is the North Winning the UK Property Investment Race?

If you're a property investor and you haven't been paying attention to the Northern Powerhouse, now is the time to start. It’s been 11 years since the term was first coined, and in 2026, the initiative is back at the forefront of conversations.

Written by

Jennifer Lawler

Published on

11 June 2026

The debate around where the UK's most compelling investment opportunities lie is shifting, with cities like Manchester and Liverpool no longer simply being discussed as "alternatives to London." Now they are very much destinations in their own right, offering higher yields, lower entry points, and sustained long-term demand.

At Elite, this is a conversation we've been part of for some time. So, when Insider Media, one of the UK's leading regional business publications, invited our Sales Director, Jennifer Lawler, to feature in its Powerhouse Perspective series, it felt like a natural fit.

The ongoing Q&A feature puts senior business figures from across the North in the spotlight to share their views on the Northern Powerhouse initiative and its implications for their sectors. It's a well-regarded series, reflecting genuine thought leadership rather than self-promotion, and we're proud that Jenn has been recognised as a voice worth hearing on these issues.

More than a political concept

One of the central themes of Jenn's interview is one that investors should take seriously: the North's growth story doesn’t come from a government initiative, but an organic economic shift that is finally being taken seriously.

While the Northern Powerhouse programme has done real work in shifting perception, Jenn's view is that cities like Manchester and Liverpool have built genuine economic momentum of their own. The initiative has helped, but the fundamentals were always there.

That distinction matters for investors because it means the opportunity isn't dependent on geopolitics alone. Instead, it is built on real demand drivers such as population growth, regeneration, thriving talent pools, and a private sector that's been quietly building for years.

Metro Mayors, transport, and the connectivity challenge

Jenn also addresses the role of metro mayors in giving the North a stronger national voice, acknowledging the real progress that's been made. She cites transport reform in Greater Manchester as one of the obvious success stories.

However, connectivity remains a genuine issue, particularly following the scaling back of HS2. It's a topic that directly affects investor confidence and the long-term value of assets in certain locations, and it's one that the North needs to address collectively if it's going to fulfil its potential.

This is the kind of honest, on-the-ground perspective that comes from being embedded in the Northern property market day in, day out.

What does this mean for investment portfolios?

So why does any of this matter if you're considering property investment in the North?

Because a stronger Northern Powerhouse translates directly into investor outcomes. Greater economic confidence drives rental demand. Continued regeneration supports capital growth. Lower entry prices compared to the South mean higher yields from day one, and sustained infrastructure investment, albeit at a pace many would like to accelerate, protects the long-term value of assets across the region.

These aren't projections, but conditions that Elite clients are already investing into, across cities and regions where the fundamentals are hard to ignore.

What next?

Jenn covers considerably more ground in the full piece, including her specific views on which parts of the North are best positioned for growth and what she'd say to investors who are still sitting on the fence.

You can read Jenn’s full interview here: https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/powerhouse-perspective-jennifer-lawler

Ready to take advantage of the Northern opportunity?

The window to enter the Northern property market at a strong price point won't stay open indefinitely. If you'd like to understand what the right opportunity looks like for your portfolio, speak to one of our team members today.

Call us on 0151 317 9384 or explore our current investment locations.