The Stage

Library Theatre plans £19 million new Manchester home

Published Wednesday 24 November 2010 at 16:20 by Natalie Woolman

Manchester’s Library Theatre is to move into a new £19 million building with contemporary art and film organisation Cornerhouse.

The two arts organisations will be housed in a purpose-built building together on First Street, which will include a 500-seat theatre, a smaller studio space, an outdoor performance area, five cinemas and 600 square metres of contemporary gallery space. The centre is scheduled to open in spring 2014. It is expected that architects will be appointed to design the building next year.

The building will be financed through the £16 million funds already earmarked for the Library Theatre’s relocation. The remaining £3 million will come from third party contributions and future capital receipts.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is committed to culture, something we see not as a luxury but as a necessity which creates jobs and other opportunities and is a fundamental part of attracting investors to our city, as well as being an inspiring end in itself.

“These are extraordinarily exciting proposals which will unlock the regeneration of an important part of the city centre as well as creating a world-class new cultural attraction.”

Chris Honer, artistic director of the Library Theatre Company, added: “This is terrific news for Manchester audiences and the Library Theatre Company. It will enable the company to develop and expand its work and achieve its aspirations. The artistic potential of the collaboration with Cornerhouse is immense.”

The Library Theatre’s previous home is the basement of Central Library. It was initially planned for it to move into the city’s Theatre Royal but these plans were rejected after it was “established that the complexities of creating a theatre in the listed building meant it would have cost significantly more than originally budgeted for”, according to a statement.