THE Space Project – home to BBC’s Dragon Den and Cold Feet - has been given the go-ahead for a £14m expansion.
The West Gorton TV and film production hub was granted planning permission by Manchester City Council to double the size of the seventeen-acre site, creating 275 jobs. It's also estimated that the new build could boost local economy by nearly £10 million a year.
The expansion of The Space Project will satisfy the nationally recognised demand for TV and film production stages
Construction work is due to start on site in January, with completion expected for October 2017.
The expansion will allow 90,000 sq-ft of new buildings to be built for TV and film production, including a 30,000 sq-ft stage. Fit for purpose, the single-storey building will also be ‘acoustically treated’ and offer dressing rooms, wardrobe, and makeup, a fully furnished green room, extensive Wi-Fi, furnished production offices, a kitchen, laundry and showers.
The Space Project, which originally opened in November 2014 in the former Fujitsu factory on Wenlock Way, was designed to build on the success of Manchester's award-winning creative and digital hub, The Sharp Project, which opened on Vaughan Street in West Gorton in 2011.
Interestingly during excavations of the site it was discovered that this had previously been the site of an iron works where 1,000 people were employed. Here two employees, William Beastow and Thomas Goudbehere, formed a football team with fellow foundry workers, and in 1880, West Gorton FC played its first game. This team later became Manchester City Football Club.
Founder Susan WoodwardSusan Woodward, Founder of The Space Project, said: “We are developing a further 3.5 hectares of land, literally on top of physical assets that drove the industrial revolution.
"It is fitting that we are building the next wave of Manchester’s industrial revolution, digital content, on a site that played such an important part in its industrial heritage. Although they are very different industries they are driven by the same ambitions – to be the best and provide new jobs and career opportunities for local people.”
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, adds: “The expansion of The Space Project will satisfy the nationally recognised demand for TV and film production stages as well as support space for the supply chain businesses, which will help grow the sector and allow Manchester to further develop its already prominent position within the UK for media production.”
Adrian Bleasdale has been appointed to the newly created post of CEO for Manchester Creative Digital Assets, which includes The Space Project. Currently Special Projects Director at ITV Studios, he begins his new role in January 2017.
Follow The Space Project on Twitter @SpaceProjectMCR
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