The redevelopment
Manchester’s meeting place gets bigger and better
Video showing Manchester Central 30 Million Pound redevelopment
The first phase of the impressive redevelopment programme – the creation of a new foyer area – began in February 2008 and was completed on schedule in November 2008. The addition of Charter Foyer has provided a new entranceway to the convention complex and increased flexibility within the Manchester Central site.Manchester Central Convention Complex is the city’s iconic meeting place, and it’s just benefitted from a £30million redevelopment which has made it bigger and better than ever before.
The second phase of the redevelopment programme, which was completed towards the end of 2009, included a new and extended foyer area to the iconic Grade ll listed Central Hall. The old smoked glass foyer was demolished and has been replaced by a stylish, flat-roofed, clear glazed structure that exposes more of the original Grade II listed architecture, giving impressive views of the building both internally and externally.
It offers a spectacular open plan area looking out across towards the Midland and Radisson Hotels. The new structure includes flexible spaces, which can be partitioned or opened up to create larger spaces; these will be suitable for all types of meeting and presentations, plus dining events for up to 400 people. The Central Foyer area can accommodate up to 1,200 people open plan, or be split into a series of meeting rooms for various sizes.
The third phase of the redevelopment programme completed in September 2010, and was focussed on the rear of the building. It included the addition of new event spaces, and the redevelopment of existing rooms, significantly increasing the venue’s range of meeting and banqueting options, and enabling the convention complex to be even more competitive in wining business for the city.As well as linking internally and externally to Charter Foyer to provide greater ease of access throughout the site, the new foyer is much larger than its predecessor.
Designed by award-winning Manchester-based architects, Stephenson Bell, the redevelopment is sympathetic to the Grade II listed frontage of what was once the city’s historic Central Railway Station and will also provide substantial operational benefits to the venue’s delegates and visitors. Laing O’Rourke, the UK’s largest privately-owned construction company, was the sole contractor for the project. Laing O’Rourke is responsible for some of the most significant business and leisure construction projects in the world.
Funding grants from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) were received for phase three of the redevelopment.
David Malpass, Director of European Programme said: “Manchester is a world-class city sitting in the heart of England’s Northwest, the premier region for business tourism. With European funding, Manchester Central will be able to attract an even greater number of events, boosting the regional economy an enhancing the city-region’s appeal for business tourism.”
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and has five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
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The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real different to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment.
ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
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The £30 million redevelopment at Manchester's iconic meeting place, Manchester Central Convention Complex, is now complete.