Manchester’s Diecast set for summer opening
The creative team behind Ramona and Firehouse will transform a 250,000 sq ft industrial space into a 5,000-capacity venue, set to boast the city’s largest beer garden.
Located between Manchester’s Store Street and Ducie Street, A Very Inc’s revamp of the former Presbar Diecasting Foundry was initially unveiled in February last year, with hopes to boost the region’s leisure provision to serve its growing population. The plans were approved in June.
The first phase of the Preston-based developer’s creative neighbourhood will open this summer. It will boast a variety of food and drink offerings: House of Daiquiri, Rum Town, NeoPan Pizzeria, and the open-air BBQ Kitchen.
A second phase, to be known as Diecast Studios, will follow. Diecast Studios is set to be a creative hub with a gym, offices, and creative spaces for art and technology start-ups.
Renovated in 1983 and currently used as a creative space, the Presbar Diecasting Foundry will maintain its industrial features in its new life. This includes the venue’s corrugated steel, large roller shutters, and the concrete terrazzo tiling found throughout.
A Very Inc’s vision for Diecast is being led by Joel Wilkinson, Adelaide Winter, and Dan Mullen. Wilkinson and Winter are also the founders of the Mission Mars hospitality group, which is behind Rudy’s and Albert Schloss.
Winter noted that the factory floor and machine works at Diecast are already in use by filmmakers, musicians, and event producers – but that the beer garden opening is an important next step in the project, It will be the first time the public can get a taste of what Diecast will offer.
“This is the first part of establishing Diecast as a new creative resource for the city,” Winter said.
Wasn’t this also to have a night market, the first in Manchester? I guess that bit has been shelved, which is a little sad since Manchester still doesn’t have a night market… that said, perhaps while these are incredibly successful throughout the world, in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the US and especially Asia, I suspect culturally Manchester may not be ready for that yet
By Jo
Rehash, repeat. Wonder what the saturation point is for these copycat halls.
By DriveLid
The “Night Market” is still in the PR copy. But I can’t see it in the visuals.
By Anonymous
Night markets work in Asia as its warmer, I don’t think there is a demand to buy artisan merch in the cold freezing weather.
By Anonymous
I suppose there are enough people living in the city centre now to keep all of these going. Good on em.
By anonymous
Night market is in phase 2 along with the gym and creative space I believe. This is only part of the site.
By Preston