Shortlist drawn up for Oxford Road redevelopment

A SHORTLIST of developers has been drawn up for the redevelopment of the area around Oxford Road station in Manchester, which includes the Cornerhouse cinema.

In August commercial property agent DTZ was appointed to find a development partner to bring a 500,000 sq ft scheme forward on a phased basis.

Network Rail owns the station and the council holds the Cornerhouse which occupies a prominent site in Oxford Street and has its largest screen in a separate block next to the station in Whitworth Street. There are also several pubs – the Grand Central and the Salisbury.

The developers understood to be vying for the scheme are: A joint venture between Capital & Centric and Carillion; Bruntwood; First Step; Valad and Muse.

The Cornerhouse is moving to a new base at First Street next year but campaigners are fighting for the existing building to be preserved.