Earlier this year, an additional £25.2m was added to Factory International’s budget to allow it to complete its ambitious building work, taking its original estimate from £110m to £210.8m.
Manchester City Council said it could ‘recover a significant proportion of these capital costs through a long-term naming rights agreement’.
And today, insurance company Aviva, the council, and Factory International have announced a long-term partnership that will include naming the arts hub Aviva Studios.
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The huge waterfront space, spanning 13,350 sq metre space and using supersized moveable walls to create different performance spaces, is predicted to add £1.1bn to the economy of Manchester over a decade.
It will support up to 1500 direct and indirect jobs and provide training and engagement opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds.
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(Left to Right) Chief Executive of Aviva Amanda Blanc with the Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig in front of the newly named Aviva Studios which was announced today as part of a new partnership. Picture date: Tuesday June 20, 2023. PA Photo. The new arts venue, which will be the permanent home to Factory International, is located in the St John’s neighbourhood of the city and will host world leading artists and performances when it opens fully in October this year. Photo credit should read: Dilantha Dissanayake/PA Wire
Factory International, now known as Aviva Studios, will officially open in October with Danny Boyle’s large-scale immersive The Matrix-inspired production, Free Your Mind.
The programme and operation of Aviva Studios will still fall to Factory International, who promise a year-round programme of original creative work, music and special events by some of the world’s leading artists.
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Aviva says it will work closely with Factory International and Manchester City Council on sustainability and community projects, like skills training programme Factory Academy.
Amanda Blanc, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aviva said: “Aviva is thrilled to be backing this new, world-class arts building in Manchester. It builds on Aviva’s leading role in the UK, serving more than 15 million customers, employing 16,000 people, and investing billions each year into the UK’s regional economy.
“The new Aviva Studios will help make arts and culture more accessible and inclusive and follows the significant investment Aviva Investors has already made in Manchester, such as the development of Enterprise City.”
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council said: “Aviva Studios, as the home of Factory International, will be a nationally and internationally important cultural attraction in the heart of Manchester.This multi-year, multi-million-pound partnership reflects the magnitude of the venue not just for the city but for the north of England and the UK as a whole.
“This will be a momentous year for the venue as audiences experience its wow factor and enjoy inspiring art in its incredible spaces for the first time. It has undoubtedly been a challenge to create this remarkable building with its unique design against a difficult construction context, including rocketing inflation, without diluting the ambitious vision behind it.
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CGIs of inside Factory International. Credit: OMA 10
“The new partnership helps make this possible, as well as supporting Factory International’s ongoing success and work with the community to open up access to the arts and training opportunities. The Council will receive the largest share of funding, supporting our up-front investment in the venue and the wider St John’s neighbourhood, as well as adding social value.
“Aviva has the credentials to be an ideal partner. We are looking forward to collaborating with them on this amazing venue and welcome the expansion of their existing commitment to Manchester.”
John McGrath, Chief Executive & Artistic Director of Factory International, said: “This historic new partnership will provide vital support for the construction and future life of our landmark new home, building on the generous public funding support already pledged to the project.
“Aviva’s values and commitment align with our own and we will also be working together on a range of initiatives, from sustainability to our £10 ticket scheme to ensure that our programme of work is accessible to all. They will also be principal partner on Factory Academy, a programme that is changing the landscape in terms of access to jobs in the creative industries for people from every background.
Factory International. Credit: Pawel Paniczko
“With the city council, we are all committed to strengthening Manchester’s reputation as a nationally and internationally important centre for culture and creativity, as well as bringing jobs, skills, training and creative opportunities for local people and artists.”
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Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “We are delighted at the news of this major support from Aviva to the landmark new home of Factory International, the most significant cultural venue to be built in the UK in recent years. The creative and cultural sector in this country is founded on the relationship between public and private sector investment.
“The newly named Aviva Studios has benefited from very significant public sector investment throughout its development, from HM Government, Manchester City Council and Arts Council England, and we very much welcome the commitment of Aviva to support the venue going forward.”
Featured image: OMA 24
Art & Culture
Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit
Danny Jones
Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.
The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.
Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.
Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.
Credit: Manchester City Council
The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.
While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.
As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.
The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.
Credit: MCC
Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”
As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.
Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.
Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)
Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said:“The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.
“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.
“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.
“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.”
Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added:“Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.
“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”
“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”
Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council
Art & Culture
Free summer artisan festival series announced at revived iconic Manchester market hall
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s historic market halls has been revived for a new era, and a series of summer festivals are set to celebrate.
That’s right – an iconic Manchester building is rebirthed, and everyone is invited.
As part of the unveiling of the newly-revived Campfield Mega Campus, a grade II-listed building that will be returning to its original purpose as a bustling market hall for the first time this century, Department and GRUB has announced the return of The Weekender – a one-of-a-kind artisanal festival taking place on several dates.
After years of ‘transformative’ and ‘restorative’ work to turn the space into what it is today, this will be the first chance the public has had to step foot into the former market building that’s now repurposed as one of the UK’s most exciting creative and tech campuses.
Just as the name suggests, The Weekender will run exclusively on weekends, while during the week, the campus will become a ‘vibrant hub’ for innovation and entrepreneurship that houses Manchester’s flagship accelerator programme supporting the next generation of digital and creative businesses.
Kicking off for the first time on Saturday 28 June from 10am-4pm, The Weekender at Campfield will host a curated makers market, live music, creative classes, kids activities, top street food, delicious beverages, and a few other creative surprises.
On the day, visitors will be able to browse from more than 30 hand-picked independent traders showcasing the very best from Manchester’s flourishing makers and producers scene.
Free artisan festivals are coming to a revived iconic Manchester market hall this summer / Credit: Supplied
You can expect everything from bakers, brewers, and jewellers, to florists, bee keepers, distillers, crafters, printers, picklers, illustrators, chefs, and so many more, all trading under the magnificent skylights of Campfield.
DJs selected by award-winning broadcaster, Reform Radio, will also be playing throughout the day, alongside surprise big-name buskers.
Then beyond the markets and music, there’ll also be opportunities to try your hand at laughter yoga, life drawing, and other creative classes.
You can expect everything from bakers and brewers, to jewellers, florists, and more / Credit: Supplied
“GRUB has always believed in creating spaces where people can come together to enjoy great food and local talent,” says Jason Bailey, who is the co-founder of GRUB
“We’re thrilled to be part of Campfield’s next chapter – it brings together everything we champion at GRUB independent makers, grass-roots culture, and community-led experiences, and we can’t wait to see this astounding Manchester building buzzing with that energy again.”
The Weekender is free to attend and everyone is welcome on Saturday 28 June, where doors will be open between 10am and 4pm – with a schedule of events happening and tickets to workshops available to book here.
The festival will also return to Campfield again on 26 July and 30 August with new events, activities, and traders, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements.
Daisy Jackson -
20th June 2023 
