NEWS RELEASE FROM THE SHARP PROJECT

The Sharp Project in East Manchester has signed up a new tenant, Liverpool-based Lime Pictures Ltd, the makers of Hollyoaks, together with Objective Productions, for its 30, 000 sq ft production stage. The space will be used to film a new Channel 4 comedy drama, Fresh Meat, which will follow student housemates as they embark on their first-year university education in Manchester.

The post-watershed eight × 45-minute episode series has been created by Peep Show’s Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, who are also lead writers. The project will be jointly produced by All3Media indies Lime Pictures and Objective Productions. The space has been hired for a 28-week period. Set build will start later this month.

Group Head of Production at Lime Pictures, Jamie Hall, said: “The Sharp Project makes the perfect base for a comedy drama set in the North.  Lime and Objective’s aspiration is to create a hit show for Channel 4 that becomes a long-running returning series. It’s particularly exciting to be part of this fascinating initiative at this embryonic stage, which is creating a unique community for digital start-ups.  It’s also great to work with Sue Woodward and her team again.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  “It’s fantastic that The Sharp Project is now attracting the attention of some of the UK’s leading television production companies.  To secure this major production is very exciting and ensures another northern-based series is filmed in Manchester.”

Sue Woodward OBE, Director of The Sharp Project said: “This is another coup for The Sharp Project.  Yet again to be selected as the base for a high profile drama is excellent news. These guys have ambitious plans for this production and we’re pleased to be able to accommodate their needs.  We share their aspirations and by working together we hope another long-running comedy drama can come out of Manchester.”

The Sharp Project, based at the former Sharp warehouse less than ten minutes from Manchester city centre is nearing completion.  The facility offers a unique mix of space, from office accommodation in converted shipping containers, to offices complete with skylights and mezzanine views over a central campus. The fully glazed ‘Winter Garden’ will also provide around 5,000 sq ft of rehearsal/event space. Two other sounds stages of 4,000 and 28,000 square feet complete the offer.

Mark Hughes, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said:
“In a short space of time The Sharp Project has positioned itself as a highly attractive base for creative and digital businesses. This is an excellent facility bringing new life and economic benefits into the heart of east Manchester.”

David Malpass, Head of the European Programme at the NWDA, said:
“There is a lot of excitement around The Sharp Project based on its unique accommodation offer and high quality of facilities. It is gaining an excellent reputation and the partnership with Lime Pictures will spread the message even further.

The Project is funded by Manchester City Council, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Regional Development Fund.

Led by urban regeneration company New East Manchester and project managed by Mace, Bramall Construction is undertaking the construction work on the refurbished building that has been designed by PRP Architects.

The building is located on Thorp Road, off Oldham Road and next to Central Park’s Gateway transport interchange, which includes a Metrolink station, due to open this spring.

Notes to editors

New East Manchester (NEM) is an Urban Regeneration Company – a partnership between Manchester City Council, the national housing and regeneration agency Homes & Communities Agency and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).  It is NEM’s role to turn the Regeneration Framework into action, secure the required public and private funding, lead on specific major development projects and co-ordinate regeneration and renewal initiatives in the area.

The Sharp Project is in a refurbished Sharp Electronics warehouse off Oldham Road in Newton Heath, East Manchester. It is a new type of digital content production complex which creates a unique hub for digital and creative businesses. This not-for-profit initiative, led by urban regeneration company, New East Manchester on behalf of site owners Manchester City Council, provides a new environment for Manchester’s raw, young start-ups and established professionals in the digital and creative sector. The building offers 200,000 sq ft of flexible and affordable workspace, sound stages, and social interactive space in an innovative environment with affordable fast connectivity starting at 1GB. It is open 24/7 with links to global partners able to deliver a ‘chase the sun’ Virtual Super Studio, 24 hour continuous production circuit for international projects. Visit www.thesharpproject.co.uk for more details.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference 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).

For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk

The Sharp Project, located in Newton Heath, East Manchester has released 30,000 sq ft of space for rent in the final phase of the 200,000 sq ft digital content complex, due to be completed by the end of March, just before the new Metrolink tram line opens.  The space, which is located at the heart of the building, has a mezzanine level with light and airy offices, glazed roofs suitable for office or studio use in 28 units from 500 sq ft through to 1300 sq ft.

The recording industry in Manchester has taken another massive leap with the commencement of building work on its latest major studio.

Early progress on the live room

Based in the Sharp Project, 80 Hertz Recording will have the personnel, the technology and the space to match the world’s greatest studios, and is set to attract major talent into the project when it is completed in early 2011.

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The distribution plant for Sharp was built in the 1970s. The company allowed The Sharp Project to use its name

One day, it will be possible to talk about the creative industries in Manchester without mentioning the name Tony Wilson. That day has not quite arrived. Given the response of key figures within the city to the relocation of large parts of the BBC to there, though, it may not be too far away. Continue reading →

Members of Ward Hadaway’s specialist Creative Industries team have now taken up residence in the Sharp Project.

Ward Hadaway, which has main offices in Leeds and Newcastle, has taken up space alongside the first 25 creative companies on site in one of the first completed phases of the building. They intend to bring its specialist legal services directly to the new community. Continue reading →

The Sharp Project in East Manchester has commissioned Applied Information Group to conduct an identity review as part of the development of a wayfinding programme for the 200,000 sq ft digital media complex in what was the old distribution centre for the Sharp electronics company. The £16.5m development by PRP Architects, which soft launched in the autumn, is scheduled to open fully early next year. It offers extensive digital facilities to professionals and start-ups in the field. The AIG team is led by creative director Malcolm Garrett.

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Three new tenants, Barefoot VFX, HG Films and Sizzle Media have moved into Phase 2 of the Sharp Project, joining 20 other companies based in converted shipping containers. Having taken the last few container office units, urban regeneration company New East Manchester announced today (Monday 20 September) that this part of the 200,000 sq ft digital content production complex in Newton Heath, East Manchester is now fully let.

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