Redevelopment plans

Manchester’s meeting place gets bigger and better

The £28 million redevelopment at Manchester’s iconic meeting place, Manchester Central Convention Complex, has now moved into its final phase.

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.

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 The old smoked glass foyer was demolished and has been replaced by a stylish, flat-roofed, clear glazed structure that exposes more of the original Grade II listed architecture, giving impressive views of the building both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.

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. 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 new foyer area is expected to accommodate up to 2,000 people and a significant feature will be a restaurant that will be open to the public as well as visitors attending events at the venue.

The third phase of the redevelopment programme, which is now underway, is focussed on the rear of the building and will include the addition of new event spaces, and the redevelopment of existing rooms. This will significantly increase the venue’s range of meeting and banqueting options, and will enable the convention complex to be even more competitive in wining business for the city.

Due for completion in late 2010 the redevelopment programme is continuing to reinforce the venue’s appeal as one of Europe’s major convention and exhibition complexes.

Designed by the award-winning Manchester-based architects, Stephenson Bell, the completed redevelopment will be 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. Sole contractors on the redevelopment are Laing O’Rourke, the UK’s largest privately-owned construction company who are also responsible for some of the most significant business and leisure construction projects in the world.