Tucked away among the industrial units of West Gorton lies one of Manchester’s hidden gems: a sprawling production facility boasting over 85,000 square feet of stage space. This is Space Studios Manchester, a purpose-built hub dedicated to high-end television, film, and commercial production.
The facility has quickly become a magnet for large-scale projects. It is renowned for its state-of-the-art acoustic sound stages, highly convenient location, and robust support for big-budget shoots. You can discover more about the studio on the manchesterski website.
History and Development
The studio’s inception was driven by the booming demand for TV production across the UK. Construction kicked off in 2013, with the doors officially opening in October 2014. Built on the heels of the highly successful The Sharp Project, the studio rapidly gained traction thanks to its premium filming facilities.
In 2016, Manchester City Council greenlit a £14 million expansion plan for Space Studios. This major investment injected 275 new jobs into the local economy and effectively doubled the size of the television and film complex. The expansion introduced brand-new buildings tailored for production and ancillary support, highlighted by a massive new stage spanning up to 30,000 square feet.
The site was further enhanced with purpose-built offices, green rooms, set-building workshops, and flexible commercial spaces available for businesses to lease. Today, the entire footprint covers around 360,000 square feet, with over 85,000 square feet dedicated strictly to studio stages. Facilities include fully equipped wardrobe and make-up departments, prop storage, and even an on-site laundry. Furthermore, the on-site Space Camp features a 150-seat dining area offering ultrafast Wi-Fi and excellent catering services.
Crucially, the studio is situated just a stone’s throw from both Manchester city centre and Piccadilly station. This exceptional rail and road connectivity makes it incredibly convenient for production crews. The city’s continuous investment in Space Studios is a core part of its strategic vision to transform Manchester into the UK’s second-largest cinematic hub, right behind London.
The Sound Stages: Key Features
The workspaces have been meticulously designed with the exact needs of production companies in mind. Crews benefit from 24/7 access, comprehensive amenities, and a massive loading bay canopy that keeps sets fully protected from the unpredictable British weather.
| Stage | Area (sq ft) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| SPACE 01 | 11,194 | Equipped with comprehensive lighting grids. |
| SPACE 02 | 10,634 | Fully soundproofed stage designed for recording pristine live audio. |
| SPACE 03 | 10,238 | Easy access to workshops, streamlining the assembly of large-scale sets. |
| SPACE 04 | 10,128 | A versatile stage ideal for all-weather filming. |
| SPACE 05 | 8,891 | The most compact space, perfectly suited for shooting commercials and TV programmes. |
| SPACE 06 | 29,626 | The flagship stage, built to accommodate massive Hollywood blockbusters. |
Notable Productions Filmed at the Studio
Space Studios Manchester has hosted and supported a diverse array of star-studded productions, including genuine global phenomenons. This success is underpinned by the facility’s exacting service standards and strict commitment to confidentiality. The location serves both domestic broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Sky, as well as international streaming giants like Netflix. The studio’s corridors have seen A-listers such as Cillian Murphy and Helena Bonham Carter, among many others.
Some of the most high-profile projects filmed at Space Studios Manchester include:
- Peaky Blinders. The studio provided the backdrop for the sixth season of this iconic crime drama about the Shelby family, expertly recreating the tense and gritty atmosphere of early 20th-century England.
- The Crown. Netflix’s prestigious historical drama utilised the studio’s full capabilities to film scenes from the Princess Diana era. Notably, parts of Manchester’s streets were cleverly transformed to double as 1980s New York.
- Morbius. The sheer scale of Stage 6 enabled the visual effects teams working on this Marvel cinematic universe blockbuster to execute incredibly complex CGI sequences.
- The A Word. A critically acclaimed drama series following a family raising a child on the autism spectrum.
- Cult Classic Shows. The studio is the permanent home of the hit BBC reality show Dragons’ Den, and has also hosted complex stunt shoots for the nation’s beloved soap opera, Coronation Street (ITV).
- House of Guinness. Space Studios supported the extensive location shoots for this production across the city. The cast and crew worked right in the heart of the Northern Quarter on Lever Street and Back Piccadilly, alongside scenes filmed at Heaton Hall and throughout the Ancoats district.
These diverse projects underscore the studio’s vital role in the UK film industry, continually impressing with its capacity to accommodate massive production crews.
Ultimately, Space Studios Manchester is the driving force that allows the city to keep attracting major international projects and pushing the British film industry forward. The studio’s continuous expansion is also a crucial economic catalyst for Manchester. For decades, the UK’s film production was overwhelmingly London-centric. However, this facility has generated a wealth of local jobs and provided a massive boost to the hospitality sector, as large crews often reside in the city for extended periods. It has significantly elevated Manchester’s global profile. Without a doubt, the studio will continue to grow, firmly cementing Manchester’s status as the most vital film production hub in the UK outside of London.
Sources used:
- https://spacestudiosmanchester.co.uk/production-stages/
- https://www.filminginengland.co.uk/where-did-netflixs-house-of-guinness-film/
- https://screenmanchester.com/facilities/space-studios-manchester/
- https://stagerunner.net/listing/space-studios-manchester-2/
- https://spacestudiosmanchester.co.uk/about/