Broadwick Venues, operator of Printworks in East London, The Drumsheds and Exhibition London, has unveiled a new venue in Mayfield, Manchester, capable of holding up to 10,000 people.

The venue, called Depot, will launch on 24-25 August this year with Manchester Pride Live. Subject to planning consent, the space will become a multi-use cultural venue for the city and is expected to be in use for the next five years while the £1bn-plus regeneration of the 30-acre Mayfield site is progressed.

Depot is a collaboration between The Mayfield Partnership (comprising regeneration specialist U+I, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and LCR) and venue specialist Broadwick Venues and Vibration Group.

Alongside the proposed main performance space at Depot, there will be two smaller areas. One of those, called Concourse, will be providing a range of free-to-attend community events, seasonal activities and food experiences.

The second space, called Archive, will offer a more intimate performance area as well as low-cost rehearsal and studio space for local artists. Richard Upton, chief development officer at U+I, said: “We want to add something to the Mancunian cultural landscape which is unique not just in the city but in the UK.

“Depot will be a place that blends the global with the local and where international stars and local school children will be able access the same quality of performance and studio space. It will be democratic and distinctive.”

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Credit: By kind permission of Manchester libraries, information and archives.

Mayfield Partnership and U+I development director James Heather commented: “The new venue represents a major commitment to culture in Manchester and will have a significant impact in terms of attracting visitors to the city, providing a platform for local artists and a facility for the whole community to use. Bringing it back to life is part of our commitment to finding worthwhile interim uses for spaces while long-term regeneration plans are developed.”

Creative director at Vibration Group, Simeon Aldred added: “Our team are famous for our work in cultural regeneration but in a city as rich as Manchester culturally, we have an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries to the next level in terms of performance. We are also super excited to programme a broad spectrum of arts in the venue from newly commissioned ballet through to orchestral residencies and free events for the people of Manchester.”