"Medieval Manchester" could generate £6m a year

PLANS to create a ‘medieval Manchester’ around the city’s historic Chetham School of Music could bring in more than £6m a year for Greater Manchester.

A report by destination specialist Locum Consulting said that opening up the school’s historic buildings and promoting it globally alongside Manchester Cathedral and a new 400-seat concert venue opposite Victoria Station would put it firmly on the tourist map.

Locum said a new 100,000 sq ft school of music would free up the heritage buildings within the existing school, the 19th century Palatine building would be demolished subject to English Heritage approval and the current courtyard would be improved. It added that the scheme would become a true focal point for “Manchester’s historic core”.

Locum director Christine Melia said: ““Despite its geographic and historical importance, Chetham’s is not yet an attraction that has made it on to Manchester’s ‘must see’ list and it’s easy to see why.

“Today, the Chetham’s Library is too hidden away from Manchester’s visitors and the magnificent medieval buildings are compromised by the modern extensions and a tarmac car park which surround them.

“The work at Chetham’s will do much to raise the Cathedral from being somewhat peripheral to the city to being the focal point that it should be.”