Yep, Barton is much nearer the city centre than EGCC, costs about a fiver to land and you get a voucher for a free cuppa tea too - try getting THAT sort of service from the other place! Grass runways are short but manageable, if a little bumpy (2 landings for the price of one). About 5 miles from the city centre. Think there's a bus route right outside, but if you can affort to fly over for a meeting, guess a taxi wont be a problem.
I'd be keen to know how much dosh they wanted at MAN too - would life to go in there one day - just to say I've been to my 'local' airport. I belive it's the handling that costs most - not the actual landing fee. Have you contacted the flying school for a quote?