The Space Project to create 275 jobs with £14m expansion

A multi-million pound expansion of The Space Project has been greenlit by Manchester City Council.

The £14m project is expected to create 275 jobs at the West Gorton-based TV and film production hub, while boosting the area’s economy by almost £10m a year.

With planning permission in place, over 90,000 sq ft of new buildings will be built across the 17-acre site, including a 30,000 sq ft stage. Housed within a new acoustically treated single-storey property, the stage building will include air cooling and heating, vehicle access, dressing rooms and wardrobe and makeup facilities.

The expansion will also deliver over 6,000 sq ft of offices and green rooms, 10,000 sq ft for set construction workshops and a further 40,000 sq ft of units to rent for businesses supplying the TV production industry.

Manchester architecture firm PRP, designers of both The Space Project and its sister hub The Sharp Project, has been appointed to design the new scheme.

The founder of The Space Project, Susan Woodward, 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.”

She added: “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.”

Manchester City Council Leader Sir Richard Leese commented: “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.”

Construction work will begin in January, with completion due in October 2017.