New Century Hall could reopen as a food hall, creative college and music venue after six years of lying empty.
Developers Hermes have submitted plans for the multi-purpose venue which they say will help to accelerate a ‘cultural northern powerhouse’ - as part of the wider NOMA regeneration plans.
They want to renovate the grade II listed building off Corporation Street, and create a new 1000-capacity concert space.
Their plans - which were sent to Manchester town hall last week - would also see the creation of a new creative college in the building’s basement, offering courses for upto 400 students in lighting, sound, production and performance.
They also want to create a food hall, to cater for the thousands of city centre workers who they argue have limited lunchtime options.
The multi-storey building, which currently includes the hall and several floors of office space, played host to Jimi Hendrix, the Bee Gees and Tina Turner in its 1960s heyday.
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But it has lain empty for six years since the Co-op moved out in 2013.
Developers Hermes say they have found a tenant - currently unnamed in planning papers but described as a ‘collective of experienced entrepreneurs - for the plan on the 'iconic' site.
In planning documents sent to the town hall, they say the venue would ‘help further establish Manchester as the most important arts and culture employment centre outside London and ultimately reinforce the city’s profile’.
Developers envisage the proposal would create 157 direct jobs, as well as many more indirectly.
They add: “New Century Hall will act as a catalyst for rebalancing the cultural ecology in Manchester and beyond, directly contributing to and stimulating the critical mass of production, ambition and skills to train and retain a highly skilled and talented community and to accelerate the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ for culture.”
The building falls within the regeneration priority neighbourhood NOMA, a decade-long £800m scheme that will include offices, homes, shops and leisure amenities.
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