The Space Project set for expansion

The proposals include a 30,000 sq ft stage, as well workshops and business units.

Manchester City Council, the backer of the facility in West Gorton, has earmarked 6.8 hectares of land and buildings adjacent to The Space Project that will be demolished and redeveloped, pending approval from the council’s executive.

The Space Project opened for business in June last year. It currently offers five stages, the largest of which is 11,194 sq ft, with three more of just over 10,000 sq ft and a fifth of 8,891 sq ft.

Productions including BBC2’s Cradle to Grave, Sky 1’s Mount Pleasant and No Offence for Channel 4 have used the facility.

The Space Project founder Susan Woodward said: “Opening the doors to a set of buildings last year was just the beginning; the real achievement was being able to attract the key players in the sector and win their repeat business.

“The Space Project’s expansion will support Manchester’s ambitions to host to the very best UK and international productions, expertly delivered by a skilled labour market and know-how that’s hard to find anywhere else outside London.”

The expansion will be split into two phases, with 90,000 sq ft of new buildings initially developed followed by a further 50,000 sq ft of production space.

ITV Studios director of production Sally Debonaire added: “From the Coronation Street mini-bus Crash to international co-pro Houdini and Doyle, The Space Project has provided a much needed facility in Manchester and the North West that ITV has taken full advantage of.

“The ambitious plans will further consolidate Manchester as the best place outside London for production talent.”