Leeds-based post-production house VTR North has unveiled plans to enter the Manchester market. The company, which plans to spend £500,000 setting up a new division called VTR Manchester, expects to open up its new city centre facility in April with eight staff.

The firm, which offers a range of services including vfx, graphic design, editing and sound, will seek to take advantage of the increased business being brought into the city as a result of the BBC”s partial relocation to MediaCityUK in Salford. But no less a priority for VTR North is the city”s advertising agency sector, which is why it has chosen to be in the City as opposed to Salford. Currently, the company”s portfolio leans towards commercials works (client include DFS, Toys R Us and Gala Bingo), though it does also do various TV idents.

VTR North was set up in 2005 by Carl Walters and Chris Birks. It will continue to treat Leeds as its HQ, but sees Manchester as a significant commercial opportunity.