Far East Consortium (FEC), the developer behind Manchester’s Victoria North regeneration project, has launched its new events brand, Found, as part of plans to re-activate disused parts of Manchester city centre for public use.
Under the Found brand, the developer will work with a range of partners to create a programme of immersive events and experiences across 155 hectares of land earmarked to support the creation of 15,000 new homes over the next decade.
Key sites being activated under the Found umbrella include Love Factory at Dantzic Street – two 15,000 sq ft former industrial units benefitting from an adjoining open-air event space.
Red Bank Courtyard at Faber Street – a food and beverage-focused space for independent, artisan vendors under the Victorian arches of Red Bank viaduct.
Bromley Street – three acres of open-air space situated next to one of Manchester’s main access routes, Rochdale Road and Irk Street – a two-storey venue with a large open-air space, situated next to Angel Meadow Park.
As part of the launch, FEC has agreed a long-term lease with events specialist, Connecting the Dots Group to operate the Love Factory – including the return of Summer of Love this August through the operator’s live music arm, Animal Crossing.
Connecting the Dots intends to announce its full events programme – including music, wellness, food and drink weekends, live sport screenings and seasonal fairs – in the coming months.
Found has been established to re-introduce forgotten parts of the city to Manchester residents and support local businesses that already call Victoria North home.
Renowned spatzle restaurant The Sparrows, indie street food venue GRUB, and the gin distillery Three Rivers Gin are among the current vendors that operate within Red Bank.
FEC is working in partnership with Manchester City Council to deliver Victoria North, which is the city’s largest ever urban regeneration project, and includes the new City River Park
on the banks of the River Irk.
Jake Scott-Thrale, Asset Manager at FEC, said:
“The next 10 years will see Victoria North flourish, including transforming large tracts of disused land into a series of thriving, inclusive neighbourhoods that celebrate
our city – its culture, its people, its vibrancy. As development moves forward, it’s important that we re-connect these somewhat forgotten areas with the rest of the City. We want to make sure the local community can start enjoying what Victoria North has
to offer.
“Found gives us the vehicle to do that, uniting a collection of unique spaces for people seeking out authentic Manchester experiences. But more than that, FOUND can provide platforms and spaces for local community groups to come and engage with us. Each location has its own qualities that lend themselves to a whole host of different uses, and we’re looking forward to adding more as Victoria North grows and evolves.”
