Multi-million pound arts venue The Factory gets green light

OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) has won aproval for its plans to build a £111 million multi-purpose arts space in Manchester.

Set to attract audiences of up to 850,000 per year, the original proposal for The Factory was approved in January 2017.

However, alterations were suggested in July so that a larger budget of £1.6 million could improve the facade and an orchestra pit could be allocated.

Other changes to the size of the theatre and some sections of the builidng were also made. 

Dance, theatre, music, opera, visual arts, popular culture and innovative contemporary work will all take place in the new space, according to the project's website.

Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said, "Culture and creativity have a critical role to play in Manchester’s future success – not just by inspiring ideas and imaginations but through creating opportunities and jobs.

"The Factory will help take this to a whole new level and open up a new chapter in Manchester’s history of innovation.

"Not only will people no longer need to move to London for the best cultural and creative roles, it will give audiences from around the country and even the world another great reason to head here."

Work is already underway on the site, but no deadline for the construction to be finished has been announced.

You can find more detail about the OMA's plans here.