Ryan Giggs: I want to invest and give something back to Manchester

December 6, 2014
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Manchester Evening News
United legend says he is passionate about putting his money into the city he grew up and trying to create jobs
 
United legend Ryan Giggs has spoken of his passion for investing in booming Greater Manchester - and how he wants to give something back to the community.
 
Comparing his business ventures to his early days at Old Trafford, the Reds assistant manager told of his drive to ‘give back to the city and create jobs’.
 
Speaking exclusively to the M.E.N., he hailed the region as booming and says he wants to create opportunities for young people through his growing business empire, including a hotel and restaurant.
 
He said: “I am involved with a lot of things with Gary Neville and it is something that we are conscious about. We want to give back because we want to give people a chance.
 
“We had that chance when we were coming through the ranks at United, we had a manager who believed in giving young players a chance, and we want to do that in the city as well.
 
“Whether it be a local neighbourhood or in the city centre, we want to give people jobs in places that are interesting and different and put a different spin on things.”
 

Bootle Street police station
 
Giggs, 41, is involved in a number of property ventures around the region.
 
Alongside former teammate Gary Neville he is behind the soon-to-open Hotel Football opposite Old Trafford.
 
Speaking of the much-anticipated venture, he said: “It is a city that is really buzzing and there are not enough hotel rooms, so that is something we are hoping to capitalise on with Hotel Football.”
 
The pair are also set to re-develop Manchester’s iconic Bootle Street police station, off Deansgate.
 

Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs' Hotel Football taking shape
 
Describing how the city had thrived since his boyhood, the former Wales international said: “I have grown up in Manchester and I’ve seen it get bigger and bigger.
 
“The city is vibrant at the moment. When I was growing up 20-25 years ago it was the club scene the Hacienda, The Boardwalk, places like that - but I think there is more in the day now.
 
“You have got so many different places that have just grown and so many different offerings. It is a great city to work in and to live in.”
 

Chef Andrew Parker at Georges
 
Giggs was speaking one year after opening Worsley-based restaurant George’s with school pals Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor.
 
On juggling his United responsibilities with other ventures, he added: “I try to be really hands on at the beginning because I want to take as much interest as possible.
 
“Football is my day job but there is a bit of that getting away from it and coming somewhere that you can relax and enjoy yourself and bring the family.”
 
For the full interview on George’s one-year anniversary see Greater Manchester Business Week next Thursday.
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