Work to start on new Sharp Project
AN application has been submitted for the demolition of buildings at the former Fujitsu site in east Manchester to pave the way for the next phase of the Sharp Project.
The city council is planning to commit £10.6m to cover the cost of converting the 100,000 sq ft site in Gorton into a “drama hub” – or base for drama production – which is expected to create 500 jobs.
It has applied to demolish two blocks at the Fujitsu site, “to enable future development of the computer hall and workshops blocks as a drama hub”. Wilmott Dixon has been hired to carry out the work.
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.
The council is to contribute £6.1m from its capital fund, 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.
The original Newton Heath Sharp Project, a base for media and creative firms, 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.
