Manchester‘s newest landmark arts complex Factory International is reportedly in talks to sell naming rights to the venue to help fund the rising costs of the project.
After it was reported earlier this month that the huge arts centre being built in Manchester city centre – which is set to be a world-leading theatre, performance space, and cultural hub – had blown past its budget once again, and was seeking for a further £25.2 million in funding from the government and Arts Council England to be approved by Manchester City Council, it’s now been revealed that the option for selling naming rights is being explored.
Plans for the unique structure – which boasts 21m-high ceilings and an enormous warehouse-style space that can be divided up for different audiences – were first announced in 2016, and back then, its total budget was set to be £110 million, with an opening date pencilled in for 2019.
But now, as construction costs continue to skyrocket, the landmark complex is actually looking at a total cost of £210.8 million, which is almost double its original budget, and a completion date in 2023.
Councillors are expected to approve the renewed request for funding at an executive meeting next week – but local authority leaders say they hope “a significant proportion” of the costs will be recovered by selling the naming rights to the venue.
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Factory International is set to be a world-leading theatre, performance space, and cultural hub / Credit: Pawel Paniczko
MIF executive director Randel Bryan told the Council that the naming deal is expected to raise at least £25 million.
This is said to go above the total fundraising target previously set for the arts centre.
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“We’ve already had really advanced conversations with a number of leading brands that have been in excess of the £24 million mark,” Mr Bryan said.
“Those deals, for a number of reasons, are still being developed and are still in a pipeline, but it does show that there are sponsors and partners out there that are prepared to exceed our ambitions with naming rights.”
Factory bosses hope to finish the naming rights deal before the venue opens in 2023, with around 70% of the proceeds from the deal going to the Council directly and the remaining 30% to support MIF and the future of the venue.
When it’s finally completed, the complex will be programmed and operated by the team behind Manchester International Festival (MIF) to act as a permanent home to the roving arts festival, and it’s expected to create or support around 1,500 jobs, attract 850,000 visitors a year, and contribute around £1.1 billion to the economy over a decade.
Manchester City Council says the venue will be “inclusive and inspiring”, with plenty of free and low cost events and opportunities for Manchester people to get involved, both as participants as well as audiences.
Featured Image – OMA 24
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‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year
Thomas Melia
A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.
As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.
The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.
While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.
As we move from 2024 to 2025 the week ahead will involve plenty of rain, wind and some snow
If you have any plans over the New Year/Hogmanay period then check out all the important weather details below ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qllOnV0cDX
In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.
“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.
He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”
Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
Emily Sergeant
One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.
As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.
Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.
But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.
We’re supporting local treasures across the UK with vital funding
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 23, 2024
Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.
While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.
Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”
Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.
Emily Sergeant -
17th October 2022 
