Manchester City Council has announced that it has furthered progress on a project to transform the Upper Campfield Market and Lower Campfield Market buildings, providing a new tech, media and creative industries hub.
Following Manchester City Council’s successful bid for £20 million worth of funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, the Campfield project is one of two schemes that formed the Culture In The City project. All but £2.2 million of the funding will be spent on the Campfield project, with the remaining funding going towards the conversion of three heritage railway arches into a creative talent development centre that will be operated by arts venue HOME.
New progress has seen the council entering into legal agreements with their development partner for the project, with the partner being tasked with repairing, refurbishing and fitting out the buildings to make them ready.
Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, said:
Campfield is an exciting initiative which will see these two heritage buildings help a dynamic part in Manchester’s future, giving innovative businesses an affordable place to flourish and helping to create the jobs of tomorrow.
“Having a location in the heart of the city centre, as part of a cluster of similar businesses, will create an environment where tech, media and creative entrepreneurs - whether they’re starting up or scaling up - can network and share inspiration.
“Manchester has always been a city of innovation and creativity, Campfield will help ensure it continues to be.”
With the market buildings providing 83,000 square feet of modern workspace this will include a minimum of 400 hot desks, meeting rooms, event spaces and other facilities that will be available a permanent or drop-in basis. It is anticipated that the project will help with the creation of 1,600 jobs over a 15-year period, with a further 2,400 jobs being sustained.
The project is also building on the success of the Exchange Tech Hub and will form part of further plan for Enterprise City.
Work on the Campfield project is to begin this year, with it set to be completed by spring 2024.
