Manchester City Council has agreed a £14 million investment package that will allow studio facility The Space Project to double in size by 2017.

The plans for the expanded site, which were revealed in September last year, include a 30,000 sq ft stage as well as a further 60,000 sq ft of production space. There will also be room for additional workshops and business units.

The Space Project 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.

Susan Woodward, founder of The Space Project, said: “Demand for production space is growing rapidly. Building Phase 2 will help satisfy current and future demand and importantly allow us to accommodate essential supply chain businesses in a production hub which will develop local job opportunities and drive further growth in the sector.”

The council estimates that the expansion will help create a further 275 jobs and boost the local economy by nearly £10m.

The Space Project opened in 2014 with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Manchester City Council.

Its credits include Cradle to Grave (BBC2), Mount Pleasant (Sky) and No Offence (C4).

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