Airtasker Expands into Manchester Amid Rising Cost-of-Living Concerns

Local services marketplace Airtasker has announced its expansion into Manchester, aiming to bolster the city’s economy and offer financial relief to residents in the midst of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Following its initial launch in London, Airtasker has facilitated users in earning anywhere from several hundred pounds weekly on a part-time basis to over £40,000 annually for full-time participants.

The expansion into Manchester comes on the heels of a successful rollout in Birmingham, and it is set to provide residents with increased opportunities to earn extra income by offering their time and skills for various tasks. These tasks range from home improvement projects such as DIY and furniture assembly, to services like gardening, delivery, cleaning, car washing, and pet care.

In Airtasker’s open marketplace model, task providers, or ‘Taskers’, are reviewed and rated by the individuals requesting services, known as ‘Posters’. This rating system allows Taskers to build their reputations and portfolios, which can lead to becoming top-rated and securing more job opportunities. Posters benefit by selecting Taskers based on their skills, previous reviews, location, availability, and budget considerations.

A Stockport resident, Ben, aged 26, recently joined as a Tasker and shared his experience: “I was training as an engineer and now have a full-time job. I signed up to boost my income on Airtasker and do a variety of jobs including car repair work and waste removals. I’ve made £300 off just one task and already use it weekly, which has helped give me financial stability.”

Airtasker has reported substantial growth following the platform’s introduction in cities outside of London. In August 2024 alone, there was a notable 435% increase in Tasker sign-ups. The surge coincides with recent data showing Manchester’s private rental prices have spiked by 12.4% over the past year, alongside the unemployment rate increasing to 6.5% during the April 2023 to March 2024 period.

Douglas Toy, Airtasker’s UK general manager, highlighted Manchester’s aptness for the expansion: “Manchester is widely recognised as one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurial hubs, making it a key focus. Our mission is to empower Mancunians to maximise their skills, enable people to work independently and help create jobs for the future. By providing truly flexible earning opportunities, we’ve already seen Taskers make over £1,000 in just one week across different tasks.”

The Airtasker platform is currently active in Manchester. For further information, users are encouraged to visit the website or download the Airtasker app through the Apple or Google app stores.