Cultural destination planned for Summer opening

A new social and cultural destination will be opening on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter this July.

Cultureplex will feature a restaurant, lounge, coffee counter, events spaces with outdoor terraces, and cinema.

Located on the Western end of Ducie Street, it overlooks the Piccadilly Basin in a former goods warehouse, becoming the latest of the city’s heritage buildings to take on a new purpose.

The scheme has been brought to Manchester by Bistrotheque founders Pablo Flack and David Waddington.

Cultureplex’s interiors are designed by Loren Day from New York-based studio, Loveisenough.

Housed in an old goods warehouse, the interior design sets out to celebrate the industrial heritage of the building, leaving original structural features intact, bringing rejuvenation and restoration to the forefront of the project.

The interior space, akin to a public square, takes inspiration from Manchester’s great libraries and halls.

Working with artisans for furnishings and bespoke pieces, such as Liverpool’s Granby Workshop, rug designers Knot Collective, Darwen Terracotta on bespoke glazed tiling, and Ketley Brick for quarry floor tiles, the team at Cultureplex celebrate the roots of innovation and development of Northern industry.

Programme director Katie Popperwell and her team will deliver a quarterly-themed programme of events and new commissions across film, performance, visual arts and craft.

In response to the changing cultural infrastructure of Manchester, Cultureplex seeks to be a new kind of cultural institution designed to support the creative sector through structured workshops and training for freelancers as well as new opportunities to make and display work.

Katie said: “We’re flipping the model of a cultural space, allowing us to be playful with our programme, and really listen to the needs of the creative community.”

Cultureplex will also offer a full service restaurant, Bistrotheque, which aims to provide uncomplicated food, drink and service with common sense and good taste.

Pablo Flack said: “The idea of a Cultureplex had been kicking around in my mind for a little while and on seeing the space for the first time I immediately thought, ‘and this is it’.

“But the space is just the starting point, what it becomes will be determined by the people that now interact with it.

“Our job is not to tell Manchester what’s interesting, it’s to create a space for the people of the city to tell us.

“We’re very excited to be working with Katie Popperwell on programming and have every faith that Manchester, with its strong cultural foundations, is the perfect home for Cultureplex.”

Pablo added: “On a personal level, as a Huddersfield born, ex-Manchester resident, it’s great to be back up North and spending time in what has become an exciting, engaging and ambitious city.”

David Waddington said: “I grew up in a very rural part of the North West, and at that time Manchester was a strong influence.

“I’d make pilgrimages to institutions like Cornerhouse and shops like Creme. Returning to the city now, the culture, style and enthusiasm is ever-present, and I’m looking forward to Cultureplex being a part of that.”