Further expansion planned for The Sharp Project

Plans have been unveiled to further expand the hugely successful Sharp Project, Manchester’s digital and production complex, providing further opportunities for the region’s television and film production industry with the potential to create up to 500 new jobs.

The plans would see a multi-million pound transformation of the Manchester City Council-owned former Fujitsu Tower in Gorton into a purpose-built drama hub, with the creation of brand new production stages over 35,000 sq ft, as well as nearly 10,000 sq ft of space for production offices, dressing rooms, prop storage and make-up. In addition there will be flexible space available to support the city’s digital sector.

Currently The Sharp Project’s production stages at the Newton Heath facility are fully let and work has had to be turned away, including interest from national and international drama production firms.

This expansion will help meet that demand, with the potential to create hundreds of jobs, many of which will be available to local people.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The Sharp Project really

does go from strength to strength. These latest proposals have the potential to cement the Manchester City Region’s reputation as the UK’s creative industry capital and will help us attract major production companies from both the UK and overseas.

“We estimate that up to 475 jobs could be created at this new site alone, which is fantastic news for the local community. And as well as creating opportunities for them at the expanded Sharp Project, it will also help drive the wider regeneration of the West Gorton area, which in turn will attract more businesses and create even more jobs.”

Sue Woodward OBE, Director of the Sharp Project and Manchester’s Creative Media Champion, said: “These proposals are very exciting. The Sharp Project has been hosting dramas since 2009, even before refurbishment work had started on the building. Since then we’ve had countless production companies knocking at our door – including many of the big names in the sector. Dramas like Fresh Meat and Mount Pleasant are being recommissioned so there is no free space. We hate turning business away. As demand is so high, it’s a no brainer to take this successful formula and recreate it elsewhere in Manchester. The facilities at Fujitsu would be ideal.”

In addition to the new production stages, a new 22,000 sq ft data centre facilities could also be created at the site. This will help Manchester meet the increasing demand for data centre and IT facilities in the city due to Manchester’s growing digital media sector.

This latest proposal for development at West Gorton follows the acquisition of the One Central Park building on Central Park where leading global 3D firm Eon Reality is to base its European headquarters and an expansion at the original building to attract more start-up digital firms along with the creation of a new hi-tech green-screen facility.

Currently The Sharp Project facility on Oldham Road, Newton Heath offers a range of state-of-the art facilities, which includes four production stages, three new green screen stages (Spring 2013), high-quality office space, converted shipping containers for start-up firms and a music and recording studio.

The plans will be considered by Manchester City Council’s Executive on Wednesday 5th December. A report is available here by clicking here