Brit Awards to leave London for Manchester after 48 years

The Brit Awards will be held in Manchester for the first time in its 48-year history, at the Co-op Live arena on February 28th. The move is part of a two-year deal, with the 50th-anniversary ceremony also scheduled to take place at the same venue. Manchester's rich musical heritage was cited as a reason for the move, with the city's mayor calling it "a massive coup." The decision follows the recent announcement that the Mercury Prize will be held in Newcastle, marking a shift away from London for major music ceremonies.