Manchester Central Convention Complex
{{Short description|Exhibition and conference centre in Manchester, England}}
{{Distinguish|Manchester Arena}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Manchester Central Convention Complex
| native_name =
| former_names = Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre (1986–2006): GMEX
| alternate_names =
| status =
| image = 250px
| caption =
| map_type =
| mapframe = no
| building_type =
| architectural_style = 19th-century railway terminus, cast iron and red brick
| structural_system = 2-storey brick building with single-span segmental iron and glass arched roof
| cost = £20 million (1986)
| ren_cost = £30 million
| location = Manchester City Centre
| address = Windmill Street
Petersfield, Manchester
Greater Manchester M2 3GX
England{{Cite web|title=Manchester Central|url=https://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/|website=Manchester Central|access-date=15 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Manchester Central - Manchester|url=https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/manchester-central-p318021|website=Visit Manchester|access-date=15 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Petersfield|url=https://www.visitmanchester.com/things-to-see-and-do/explore/neighbourhoods/petersfield|website=Visit Manchester|access-date=15 May 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Petersfield Manchester|url=https://www.visitnorthwest.com/manchester/petersfield/|website=Visit North West|access-date=15 May 2020}}
| client =
| owner = Manchester City Council
| current_tenants =
| landlord =
| coordinates = {{Coord|53.476|-2.247|display=inline,title}}
| start_date = 1982
| completion_date = 1986
| opened_date = 21 March 1986
| inauguration_date =
| renovation_date = 2008–09
| height = {{convert|90|ft|0}}
| diameter =
| other_dimensions = Arch span: {{convert|210|ft|m|0}}
Hall length: {{convert|550|ft|m|0}} long
| floor_count =
| floor_area =
| main_contractor = Alfred McAlpine
| architect =
| architecture_firm = EGS Design
| structural_engineer =
| ren_architect =
| ren_firm = Stephenson Bell
| website = {{URL|http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/|Venue website}}
| designations = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Grade II* Listed Building
| designation1_offname = G MEX
| designation1_date = 18 December 1963
| designation1_number = {{NHLE|num=1270514|short=y|postscript=none}}
}}
}}
{{Infobox convention center
| operator = Manchester Central Convention Complex Ltd.
| mapframe = no
| banquets = 1,200 (Exchange Hall)
| theatre = 10,900{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/the-venue/rooms/central-hall-12-combined|title=Central Hall 1 & 2 Combined|website=Manchester Central|access-date=21 May 2019}} (Central Hall)
804 (Exchange Auditorium)
| total_space = {{convert|17776.71|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| exhibit = {{convert|11834.56|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| breakout = {{convert|2820.15|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| ballroom =
| publictransit = {{rint|manchester}} St Peter's Square
{{rint|manchester}} Deansgate-Castlefield
{{rint|gb|rail}} Deansgate
{{rint|gb|rail}} Manchester Oxford Road
}}
Manchester Central Convention Complex (commonly known as Manchester Central and formerly GMEX (Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre)) is an exhibition and conference centre converted from the former Manchester Central railway station in Manchester, England. The building has a distinctive arched roof with a span of {{convert|64|m|ft}} – the second-largest railway station roof span in the United Kingdom,{{Cite news |title=Manchester Central Station (G-Mex) roof |url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=603 |work=Engineering Timelines |access-date=14 August 2012}} and was granted Grade II* listed building status in 1963.{{NHLE |desc=G-Mex |num=1270514 |access-date=9 November 2012}}
After 89 years as a railway terminus, it closed to passengers in May 1969. It was renovated as an exhibition centre formerly known as the G-Mex Centre in 1982 and was Manchester's primary music concert venue until the construction of the Manchester Arena. After renovation the venue reverted to its former name Manchester Central in 2007.
From April 2020 until March 2021, the complex became a temporary field hospital for non-critical COVID-19 patients,{{cite news|date=17 April 2020 |title=Official opening takes place for NHS Nightingale Hospital North West |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-04-17/official-opening-takes-place-for-nhs-nightingale-hospital-north-west/ |work=ITV News |quote=The facility will provide oxygen therapy and general medical care for people with Covid-19 who do not need critical care. |access-date=17 April 2020}} part of a network of temporary NHS Nightingale Hospitals.
History
=Manchester Central railway station=
{{main|Manchester Central railway station}}
File:Manchester Central Station 7.jpg
The complex was originally Manchester Central railway station, one of the city's main railway terminals.{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/about-manchester-central|title=About Manchester Central|publisher=Manchester Central Convention Complex|access-date=23 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120905024222/http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/about-manchester-central|archive-date=5 September 2012}}
Designed by Sir John Fowler, the station was opened in July 1880 by the Cheshire Lines Committee. The station served as the terminus for Midland Railway express trains to London St Pancras. The station's large wrought-iron single-span arched roof, spanning {{convert|210|ft|m|0}}, {{convert|550|ft|0}} long and {{convert|90|ft|0}} high – was a noted piece of railway engineering and is the widest unsupported iron arch in Britain after the Barlow train shed at London St Pancras.{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1113361_manchester_central_marks_milestone |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130114005345/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1113361_manchester_central_marks_milestone |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2013 |title=Manchester Central marks milestone |last=Lashley |first=Brian |date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Manchester Evening News |access-date=8 July 2009}}
At its height, in the 1930s, more than 400 trains used the station every day.Parkinson-Bailey, p. 212
The station operated for 89 years, before closing in May 1969.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29816152|title=What happened to England's forgotten railway stations?|date=11 January 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=4 September 2018}}
=GMEX Centre=
File:Manchester Central Station 4.jpg
In 1978, the structure was acquired by Greater Manchester County Council to redevelop as a concert venue. In 1982, construction work was undertaken by Alfred McAlpine.Gray p. 137 It was the centrepiece of the regeneration plan for the area and wider Castlefield district. The hall covered {{convert|10,000|sqm|abbr=on}} and could be partitioned into various sized units for different exhibitions.Parkinson-Bailey, p. 213 Initial construction work concentrated on repairing the derelict structure and re-pointing brickwork which took 18 months. The Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre or G-Mex Centre was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1986 after four years of renovation.Parkinson-Bailey, p. 214
In 2001 the Manchester International Convention Centre (MICC) was added, comprising an 804-seat auditorium and breakout rooms and the Great Northern Hall. In 2005, the company running the complex was bought by Manchester City Council. G-Mex was Manchester's primary concert venue from 1986 to 1995. Its position as a concert venue diminished after the opening of the Manchester (then NYNEX) Arena in 1995.Watson, Janine (25 July 1995). "Arena ready for Wets sell-out". Manchester Evening News.
=Manchester Central=
In January 2007, the venue was renamed Manchester Central, evoking the memory of the former station{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1122487_this_is_just_the_start___|title=This is just the start ... |last=Burdett |first=Jill|date=25 June 2009|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=8 July 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/6203773.stm|date=22 December 2006|title= Morrissey plays last 'G-Mex' gig|publisher=BBC News |access-date=8 July 2009}} and converted into an exhibition and conference centre. The building was renovated at a cost of £30 million in 2008 by Manchester-based architects, Stephenson Bell. The first phase to create a foyer took from February to November 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenson-studio.com/architecture/manchester-central/|title=Manchester Central|publisher=Stephenson Studio|access-date=4 September 2018}}
The second phase, completed towards the end of 2009, included an extended foyer to the Grade II listed Central Hall. The old smoked-glass structure was demolished and replaced by a flat-roofed, clear-glazed structure exposing more of the original architecture. The final phase, completed in September 2010, focused on the rear of the building. New event spaces were built and rooms refurbished to increase the venue's range and size of meeting and banqueting spaces.{{Cite news |title=Manchester Central - The redevelopment |url=http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/redevelopment |work=Manchester Central |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=13 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717152708/http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/redevelopment |archive-date=17 July 2011}}
Events
During its days as the GMEX Centre, the venue was used for hosting rock concerts. Not long after its official opening, Factory Records used the venue for their Festival of the Tenth Summer in July 1986 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of punk in the city, and included appearances by the Smiths and Factory Records stalwarts New Order.{{cite web|url= http://www.cerysmaticfactory.info/fac151h.html|title= The Festival of the Tenth Summer|publisher=Cerysmatic Factory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614223127/http://www.cerysmaticfactory.info/fac151h.html|archive-date=14 June 2011 |url-status=dead}} James appeared in 1990, U2 in June 1992, Metallica in November 1992 on their The Black Album tour and the Cure in November 1992. G-Mex had a seating capacity of 9,500 for end stage concerts and 12,500 for standing events and stopped hosting concerts in 1997, with the last gig by Oasis in December. G-Mex was also the 2002 Commonwealth Games venue for gymnastics, weightlifting, judo and wrestling.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/2002/venues/gmex.shtml|title=G-Mex|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 September 2018}}
After a nine-year break, it was again used for concerts by Snow Patrol in December 2006 with Morrissey, the Verve, Marilyn Manson, Franz Ferdinand, Manic Street Preachers, Arctic Monkeys,{{cite web |title=Arctic Monkeys @ Manchester Central |url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/news/10000438_arctic_monkeys___manchester_central |work=Citylife |date=12 December 2007 |access-date=9 November 2012}} Bloc Party and Hard-Fi holding concerts in 2007. Status Quo have performed there multiple times. The venue hosted concerts by Placebo in December 2009, Arcade Fire, Biffy Clyro, Thirty Seconds to Mars, the Taste of Chaos Tour 2010, deadmau5,{{cite web |title=Deadmau5 - Review |url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/reviews/10018904_review__deadmau5___manchester_central |website=Citylife |date=13 December 2010 |access-date=9 November 2012}} Pendulum in December 2010 and the Eighth Plague Tour. In 2011 it hosted the Girls' Day Out Show.[http://www.ilovemanchester.com/2012/07/29/attention-all-females-girls-day-out-in-manchester/ Attention all females girls day out in Manchester] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802025131/http://www.ilovemanchester.com/2012/07/29/attention-all-females-girls-day-out-in-manchester/ |date=2 August 2012}}
In 2009 and 2010, it played host to the Manchester audition stages of the ITV programme The X Factor. In December 2012, it hosted the finals of series 9 of The X Factor.{{cite web |title='X Factor' series nine final to be held in Manchester |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a398937/x-factor-series-nine-final-to-be-held-in-manchester.html |website=Digital Spy |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=3 December 2012}}
In September 2006, the Labour Party moved from traditional seaside venues to hold its annual party conference at the complex. It has also hosted conferences for the Confederation of British Industry, ECOFIN, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservative Party and the Green Party.{{cite news |title=Conservatives will return to Manchester for 2013 and 2015 party conferences |url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/politics/s/1461041_conservatives-will-return-to-manchester-for-2013-and-2015-party-conferences |work=Manchester Evening News |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=9 November 2012}}{{cite web |title=Manchester to host Labour Party Conference in 2012 and 2014 |url=http://www.marketingmanchester.com/media-centre/press-releases/13th-august-09.aspx |access-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228114025/http://www.marketingmanchester.com/media-centre/press-releases/13th-august-09.aspx |archive-date=28 December 2011}}{{Cite web |last=Gallop |first=Joe |date=2024-07-25 |title=Manchester secures Green Party Autumn Conference |url=https://www.conference-news.co.uk/news/manchester-secures-green-party-autumn-conference/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Conference News |language=en-GB}}
The venue was also the filming location of Ninja Warrior UK between 2015 and 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/itv-brings-world-renowned-television-game-show-manchester-central|title=ITV brings world renowned television game show to Manchester Central|website=Manchester Central|access-date=4 September 2018}}
The venue was selected to host the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final,{{cite web|url= https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/388/rlwc-coming-to-more-venues-than-ever-before |title=RLWC coming to more venues than ever before |website=Rugby League World Cup 2021|date=9 July 2022|access-date=14 October 2022}} which saw England beat France 28–24 to lift their second world cup title equalling the record set by the runners-up.{{cite news |title=Rugby League World Cup: Tom Halliwell snatches Wheelchair World Cup glory for England against France |url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/france-vs-england/58191 |access-date=19 November 2022 |work=Sky Sports |date=18 November 2022}}
Transport
Located in the heart of the city, Manchester Central is served by two Metrolink tram stops – Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop and St Peter's Square tram stop, both of which are under a five-minute walk from the venue. National Rail local train services serve Deansgate railway station whilst Manchester Piccadilly is a 20-minute walk away.{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1089|title=Manchester Piccadilly|website=Engineering Times|access-date=4 September 2018}}
Emergency hospital
{{main|NHS Nightingale Hospital North West}}
On 27 March 2020, the UK government announced that the building would be converted into an emergency hospital, part of a network of NHS Nightingale Hospitals similar to the NHS Nightingale Hospital London that was already under construction, intended to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and with 1,000 beds. It opened on 17 April 2020,{{cite news|date=17 April 2020|title='It has brought light to a dark time': Manchester's Nightingale coronavirus hospital officially opened as stars send messages of support|work=Manchester Evening News|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/it-brought-light-dark-time-18109529|access-date=9 May 2020}} and was closed in March 2021.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2021 |title=Covid: NHS Nightingale Hospital North West to 'cease operations in March' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-56194378 |access-date=11 February 2024}}
See also
{{portal|Greater Manchester}}
References
;Citations
{{reflist|30em}}
;Bibliography
- {{cite book |last=Gray |first=Tony |title=The Road to Success: Alfred McAlpine 1935–1985 |publisher=Rainbird Publishing |year=1987}}
- {{cite book |last=Hartwell |first=Clare |title=Pevsner Architectural Guide: Manchester |publisher=Penguin |year=2001}}
- {{cite book |last=Parkinson-Bailey |first=John |title=Manchester: An architectural history |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2000}}
- {{cite book |last=Radford |first=Brian |title=Midland through the Peak |publisher=Unicorn |year=1988 |isbn=978-1-85241-001-8}}
External links
{{commons category|Manchester Central Convention Complex}}
- [http://www.manchestercentral.co.uk Manchester Central]
- [https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/sets/72157635265462764/ GMEX Manchester Archives+]
{{Indoor arenas UK}}
{{Manchester B&S}}
{{2021 RLWC Venues}}
Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1880
Category:Music venues in Manchester
Category:2002 Commonwealth Games venues
Category:Exhibition and conference centres in England
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Manchester
Category:Tourist attractions in Manchester