Manchester Central (formerly GMEX & MICC) today announced a multi-million pound redevelopment plan that will give one of the city’s most recognised landmarks a 21^st century facelift.

The plans include a new and extended foyer area to the Grade II listed Central Hall, an additional entranceway to both Exchange and Central Hall, plus extra catering and seminar spaces that will add to the venue’s appeal as one of the UK’s major convention and exhibition complexes.

Designed by the award-winning architects, Stephenson Bell, the development will be both sympathetic to the Grade-II listed frontage of what was once the city’s historic Central railway station, as well as bringing substantial operational benefits to clients and users of the venue.

Manchester Central’s Chief Executive, Lesley Tomlinson, commented: “Manchester Central has been a well-loved part of the city skyline for over 20 years and has also been one of the city’s great recent success stories, attracting major events like the Labour Party conference to Manchester. We now want to enhance what Manchester Central brings to the city, increasing its appeal to more national and international events and opening up the building’s facilities to more people.”

The development, which will cost in excess of £20 million, has been carefully planned over three phases, starting in early Spring 2008, so as to avoid disruption to the venue’s ongoing operation.

Lesley Tomlinson added: “Our clients are our main priority, and thanks to the careful planning of the design team it will remain 'business as usual' for them during the process of development. Once completed we will have substantially enhanced both the capacity and flexibility of Manchester Central and added to the levels of service excellence that people can expect”.

Commenting on the redevelopment, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“Manchester Central has played a pivotal role to date in establishing Petersfield as a distinctive mixed use location at the heart of the city centre.  Investing in this development plan is an essential part of keeping Manchester ahead of the game in attracting the sort of national and international conference business that supports thousands of jobs in the city’s thriving visitor and tourism economy.”

Artists impressions and plans of the three phases of development are available to view on the Manchester Central website at www.manchestercentral.co.uk