JD Sports invests in production at The Sharp Project

JD Sports fashion PLC is to locate their multi channel content and production team at The Sharp Project, in a deal worth over £2m.

The Bury based company has taken 10, 400 sq ft of production space at the digital content production complex in Manchester. The company has signed a long-term lease on The Sharp Project’s ‘Stage 02’ to use it as a permanent base for the production of their digital and marketing content across the group.

Incorporated into the space is a new mezzanine floor which will accommodate 58 staff including photographers and designers who will relocate from the Pilsworth headquarters in September. The team will deliver multi channel content across a dozen of the group’s brands to service the global multichannel business. As well as the mother brand, JD, marketing material will be produced at The Sharp Project for Size?, Bank, Scotts, Tessuti, Blacks, Millets, Ultimate Outdoors and Foot Patrol. The Sharp Project has been chosen for the investment due to the presence of other creative and digital businesses based in the building, which the creative team at JD are keen to engage and work with.

Peter Cowgill, Executive Chairman of JD Sports Fashion said: “This is a very exciting step for us. Multi-channel is a significant growth area for us and a key strategic priority. Taking this facility at The Sharp Project means we can facilitate our rapid growth and future demands while still keeping it local. We are combining all of our content, photography, design and production into a single multi-channel team. We are a forward looking company and taking permanent production space is an innovative approach for a retailer that enables us to be much more self-sufficient and productive. It will help us keep ahead of the competition.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “It’s great to have a worldwide Business base themselves at The Sharp Project making a significant investment into their presence on site. The Creative Digital sector in Manchester is going from strength to strength and The Sharp Project has been a big part of that story and continues to deliver opportunities for local people.”

Rose Marley, COO, The Sharp Project said: “We’re entering a new phase as the stages at The Sharp Project shift from being drama based to being the home of commercial content production. JD Sports Fashion is keen to infuse with the building’s ecology, bringing fantastic opportunities for our tenants with specialist skills. They will also be looking for local talent, creating employment and apprentice opportunities for Manchester people.”