Editing 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               = [[File:Manchester Central Arena.jpg|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                = [[Pound sterling|£]]20&nbsp;million (1986)
| ren_cost            = £30&nbsp;million
| location            = [[Manchester City Centre]]
| address             = Windmill Street<br/>Petersfield, [[Manchester]]<br/>[[Greater Manchester]] M2 3GX<br/>England<ref>{{Cite web|title=Manchester Central|url=https://www.manchestercentral.co.uk/|website=Manchester Central|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Petersfield Manchester|url=https://www.visitnorthwest.com/manchester/petersfield/|website=Visit North West|access-date=15 May 2020}}</ref>
| 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}}<br />Hall length: {{convert|550|ft|m|0}} long 
| floor_count         = 
| floor_area          = 
| main_contractor     = [[Alfred McAlpine]]
| architect           = 
| architecture_firm   = [[Jack Bogle|EGS Design]]
| structural_engineer = 
| ren_architect       = 
| ren_firm            = [[Roger Stephenson|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 <small>(Exchange Hall)</small>
| theatre = 10,900<ref>{{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}}</ref> <small>(Central Hall)</small><br/>804 <small>(Exchange Auditorium)</small>
| 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 tram stop|St Peter's Square]]<br/>{{rint|manchester}} [[Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop|Deansgate-Castlefield]]<br/>{{rint|gb|rail}} [[Deansgate railway station|Deansgate]]<br/>{{rint|gb|rail}} [[Manchester Oxford Road railway station|Manchester Oxford Road]]
}}

'''Manchester Central Convention Complex''' (commonly known as '''Manchester Central''' and formerly '''GMEX''' ('''G'''reater '''M'''anchester '''Ex'''hibition 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,<ref name="engineering">{{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}}</ref> and was granted [[Grade II* listed building]] status in 1963.<ref>{{NHLE |desc=G-Mex |num=1270514 |access-date=9 November 2012}}</ref>

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,<ref name=itv-2020-04-17>{{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}}</ref> part of a network of temporary [[NHS Nightingale Hospitals]].<ref name=":0" />

==History==
===Manchester Central railway station===
{{main|Manchester Central railway station}}
[[File:Manchester Central Station 7.jpg|thumb|left|An illustrative image of the old Manchester Central railway station, dated 1905.]]
The complex was originally Manchester Central railway station, one of the city's main railway terminals.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Designed by [[Sir John Fowler, 1st Baronet|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 [[St Pancras railway station|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 [[St Pancras railway station#Construction|Barlow train shed]] at London St Pancras.<ref name="milestone">{{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}}</ref>

At its height, in the 1930s, more than 400 trains used the station every day.<ref>Parkinson-Bailey, p. 212</ref>
The station operated for 89 years, before closing in May 1969.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===GMEX Centre===
[[File:Manchester Central Station 4.jpg|thumb|left|The interior of the derelict station before its renovation in 1982]]
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]].<ref name="Gray p. 137">Gray p. 137</ref> 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.<ref>Parkinson-Bailey, p. 213</ref> Initial construction work concentrated on repairing the derelict structure and re-pointing brickwork which took 18 months.<ref name="Gray p. 137"/> The Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre or G-Mex Centre was opened by [[Queen Elizabeth II]] in 1986 after four years of renovation.<ref>Parkinson-Bailey, p. 214</ref>

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 Arena|Manchester (then NYNEX) Arena]] in 1995.<ref>Watson, Janine (25 July 1995). "Arena ready for Wets sell-out". Manchester Evening News.</ref>

===Manchester Central===
In January 2007, the venue was renamed Manchester Central, evoking the memory of the former station<ref name="justthestart">{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1122487_this_is_just_the_start___|title=This is just the start&nbsp;... |last=Burdett |first=Jill|date=25 June 2009|work=Manchester Evening News|access-date=8 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="bbc-morrisey">{{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}}</ref> and converted into an exhibition and conference centre. The building was renovated at a cost of £30&nbsp;million in 2008 by Manchester-based architects, [[Roger Stephenson|Stephenson Bell]]. The first phase to create a foyer took from February to November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stephenson-studio.com/architecture/manchester-central/|title=Manchester Central|publisher=Stephenson Studio|access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>

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.<ref name="milestone" /> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==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 rock|punk]] in the city, and included appearances by [[the Smiths]] and Factory Records stalwarts [[New Order (band)|New Order]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[James (band)|James]] appeared in 1990, [[U2]] in June 1992, [[Metallica]] in November 1992 on their ''[[Wherever We May Roam Tour|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 (band)|Oasis]] in December. G-Mex was also the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] venue for [[gymnastics]], [[Powerlifting|weightlifting]], [[judo]] and [[wrestling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/2002/venues/gmex.shtml|title=G-Mex|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>

After a nine-year break, it was again used for concerts by [[Snow Patrol]] in December 2006 with [[Morrissey]], [[the Verve]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]], [[Manic Street Preachers]], [[Arctic Monkeys]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Bloc Party]] and [[Hard-Fi]] holding concerts in 2007. [[Status Quo (band)|Status Quo]] have performed there multiple times. The venue hosted concerts by [[Placebo (band)|Placebo]] in December 2009, [[Arcade Fire]], [[Biffy Clyro]], [[Thirty Seconds to Mars]], the [[Taste of Chaos]] Tour 2010, [[deadmau5]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[Pendulum (drum and bass band)|Pendulum]] in December 2010 and [[the Eighth Plague Tour]]. In 2011 it hosted the [[Girls' Day Out Show]].<ref>[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}}</ref>

In 2009 and 2010, it played host to the Manchester audition stages of the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] programme ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]''. In December 2012, it hosted the finals of [[The X Factor (UK series 9)|series 9]] of ''The X Factor''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In September 2006, the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] moved from traditional seaside venues to hold [[Labour Party (UK) Conference|its annual party conference]] at the complex. It has also hosted conferences for the [[Confederation of British Industry]], [[Economic and Financial Affairs Council|ECOFIN]], the [[Liberal Democrat Conference|Liberal Democrats]], the [[Conservative Party (UK) Conference|Conservative Party]] and the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

The venue was also the filming location of ''[[Ninja Warrior UK]]'' between 2015 and 2019.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

The venue was selected to host the [[2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> which saw [[England national wheelchair rugby league team|England]] beat France 28–24 to lift their second world cup title equalling the record set by the runners-up.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Transport==
Located in the heart of the city, Manchester Central is served by two [[Manchester Metrolink|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 station|Manchester Piccadilly]] is a 20-minute walk away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=1089|title=Manchester Piccadilly|website=Engineering Times|access-date=4 September 2018}}</ref>

==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 in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]] and with 1,000 beds. It opened on 17 April 2020,<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref> and was closed in March 2021.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Greater Manchester}}
*[[Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester]]
*[[Listed buildings in Manchester-M2]]

==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]]
[[Category:Darts venues]]
[[Category:Former Midland Railway stations]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games wrestling venues]]