£10m plan unveiled for new Sharp Project

MANCHESTER City Council is planning to commit £10.6m to developing the next phase of the Sharp Project at a former Fujitsu site in West Gorton.

Council chiefs have previously stated their intention to expand the media hub and hope to convert the 100,000 sq ft site into a base for drama production and a private sector-led data centre facility, which they believe will create nearly 500 jobs.

The financing of the project will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on December 5, when the only other business is the issue of 900 potential job cuts at the authority as it seeks to save £30m.

The council wants to contribute £6.1m from its capital fund to the new Sharp Project, and pull in £4m from a European Regional Development Fund grant. A further £500,000, to cover enabling works at the site, will come from the Homes and Communities Agency.

It also wants to contribute £125,000 for initial designs and £600,000 to help cover running costs in the first three years.

Initial plans suggest 35,000 sq ft of drama production stages; 9,000 sq ft of dressing rooms and production offices; 20,000 sq ft of managed workspace; 21,000 sq ft of more drama space or data centres; 11,500 sq ft of workshop and storage; and a 10,000 sq ft canteen.

Sharp Project director Sue Woodward said: “The Sharp Project has been hosting dramas since 2009, even before refurbishment work had started on the building. Since then we’ve had countless production companies knocking at our door – including many of the big names in the sector.

“Dramas like Fresh Meat and Mount Pleasant are being recommissioned so there is no free space. We hate turning business away. As demand is so high, it’s a no brainer to take this successful formula and recreate it elsewhere in Manchester. The facilities at Fujitsu would be ideal.”

The report states: “The scheme will bring significant economic benefits to West Gorton and East Manchester. Based on the success seen at The Sharp Project, the new complex will have the potential to provide 475 full time equivalent jobs when fully operational.

“The city council will work closely with The Sharp Project management team and Sharp Futures, Manchester College and other education and training providers including the local Job Centre Plus office, to ensure that jobs are made accessible to local residents.

“The proposed development of the facilities in West Gorton also offers the opportunity to reinforce the value of “The Sharp Project” brand and to forge new partnerships and develop franchise opportunities both in the UK and internationally.”

The original Newton Heath Sharp Project was formally last year in a former Sharp Electronics warehouse following a £16.5m investment by the city council, the North West Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.

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