Expansion on the Space Project studio in Manchester is well underway, with the £14m operation expected to be functional by the end of the year.

The steel frames of the new main stage have now been erected, adding to the existing five which opened in 2014.

The expansion plan will effectively double the size of the complex overall – across the 6.8 hectare (17 acre) site, more than 90,000 sq ft of new buildings will be built for production and related support activities including the purpose-built 30,000 sq ft stage, making six in total.

The site will also house an additional 6,000 sq ft of production offices and green rooms, a further 10,000 sq ft of workshops for set and an extra 40,000 sq ft of business units to rent for companies who supply the TV production industry.

Adrian Bleasdale, CEO of the Space Project, said of the expansion plan”s fruition: “The first stage of the Space Project has seen repeat business from every UK major broadcaster. But as dramas grow in their ambition and scale, we wanted to deliver an affordable large-scale stage that will accommodate producers” creative ambition with the realism of good budget management.

“We think the new Stage 6 will deliver just that – scale at an affordable price and the back-up of a superb on-site team dedicated to a great client experience.”

The Space Project is hosting the second series of Cold Feet, currently in production and The A Word, which begins filming next week.

Photos: Andy Marshall.