Manchester makes space to retain artists in the city

Above: CGI of HOME Arches scheme for artists in Whitworth Street West

Future Cities Forum is delighted to feature how levelling up funding is helping Manchester to develop its creative districts. Last year our levelling up forum at the Museum of Science & Industry included discussion of the developing creative district around Quay Street with the former Granada Studios being turned into a new music venue. Now the Council is developing new workshop space for artists in the city.

Situated between HOME’s main arts centre building and Whitworth Street West, the new space will be a resource for artists of all ages, disciplines and stages in their careers.

Robertson Construction have been appointed to carry out the work which is due to be completed in May 2024. The £3.7m HOME Arches project, which will be operated by HOME, will help nurture, attract and retain creative talent in Manchester by providing high quality, low cost rehearsal and training space. It will add to the sense of place in the First Street district and further strengthen it as a destination.

The project is being funded through £2.3m of Government Levelling Up funding, a £0.9m contribution from the Council and around £0.5m from HOME (which includes some post-construction costs.)

The scheme is one of two parts of the Culture In The City project which Manchester City Council secured almost £20m of Government Levelling Up funding for in autumn 2021.

The other part, a £17.5m scheme, is seeing the Upper Campfield and Lower Campfield Market buildings – both Grade II-listed lovingly transformed into a new tech, media and creative industries hub.