MANCHESTER’s other media city, The Sharp Project, is making waves it would appear. A coquettish press release has appeared this morning (Monday 10 September) teasing us with words and numbers such as ‘major’ and ‘240 jobs’.

This is the press release here.

Plans for a major expansion to The Sharp Project, which will see hundreds of new jobs created and a cutting-edge global technology company establish its European headquarters there, have been unveiled.

The proposals build on the success of The Sharp project, the city’s digital and production complex, and further Manchester’s ambition of becoming a global digital city by 2020.

The potential for further growth is huge and in order to tap into this, we recognise that we need to expand the facilities further to grow local Manchester businesses and also attract major international companies in this sector to Manchester

The proposals, outlined in a report to be considered by Manchester City Council’s Executive on 12 September, comprise:

  1. A major global interactive 3D technology company will establish its European base at One Central Park in Central Park, which will be acquired by Manchester City Council, creating at least 240 jobs.
  2. A significant expansion of The Sharp Project’s existing building to attract more start-up digital firms. Alongside this will be the creation of a new hi-tech green-screen facility. The Sharp Project is in discussions with a UK firm with a global client base that require a green screen facility and have the potential to expand creating 150 new jobs.
  3. The development of the City Council owned former Fujitsu tower in West Gorton into a drama production hub.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “The Sharp Project has been phenomenally successful and we have created a significant digital production hub that can support the development of the City’s digital and production sector and put us firmly on the global map. The potential for further growth is huge and in order to tap into this, we recognise that we need to expand the facilities further to grow local Manchester businesses and also attract major international companies in this sector to Manchester.”

Highlighting its success to date, the report states that The Sharp Project is 75% full and had created 287 full time equivalent jobs within the tenancies of the building at the end of its full year of operation. 

The Sharp Project is home to over 50 digital entrepreneurs and production companies specialising in digital content production, digital media and TV and film production.  It’s based in a 200,000 sq ft refurbished warehouse previously occupied by electronics company Sharp, It offers flexible office, production and event space at affordable prices. The £16.5million profit-for-purpose development is owned by Manchester City Council. Completed in June 2011, it was funded by Manchester City Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund. www.thesharpproject.co.uk.