Huge plans revealed for the future of iconic music venue Victoria Warehouse

Proposals have emerged to transform iconic Manchester music venue Victoria Warehouse.

It’s hoped the project will lead to ‘a wider range and depth of events and a broader and wider range of artists and exhibitors’ performing there.

The plans, now lodged with Trafford council, involve the transformation of the venue’s hotel and the creation of a new multi-storey car park.

The Victoria Warehouse site in Stretford comprises of three early 20th century warehouses with the detached, six-storey building home to the current hotel at the east of the site.

The first two levels of the western warehouse form the well-known music and exhibition space.

The plans would see Victoria Warehouse Hotel redesigned to offer 200 luxury rooms.

Currently, just 40 bedrooms on part of the ground floor are in use.

Roof viewing terraces and a roof extension would feature, with a design and access statement drawn up by architect Richard Drinkwater also revealing plans for a new, 191-space multi-storey car park over six levels at the site, proposals to transform the empty second and third floors of the western warehouse into offices complete with a rooftop running track and the addition of a function suite for 500 people.

It’s hoped to ‘develop the existing operation into a high quality hotel and a conference and events destination’, according to the brief.

“The proposal will have beneficial employment implications in respect of construction and the future operation of the Victoria Warehouse complex,” it reads.

“The application proposal will make a significant contribution to the local and regional economy through its provision of direct employment opportunities and the wider economy that the construction and operation of the proposal will support.

“The improvement in the offer at Victoria Warehouse will also lead to the ability to host and lead a wider range and depth of events that will attract a broader and wider range of artists and exhibitors to the complex.

We have a dedicated Facebook page bringing you all the latest news, events and community news in Trafford.

To keep up to date with all that is happening in Trafford – and to join in the discussion – follow the page here.

And you can also follow us on Twitter.

“Whilst already an international venue, the aim is to ensure that Victoria Warehouse improves upon its position.”

The design and access statement revealed was prepared last month in support of the planning application to Trafford Council.

“The top floor of the hotel in the western warehouse is to be converted into a double height function suite by raising the existing roof and creating roof terraces at either side,” the brief reveals.

“The exterior of the warehouse will remain the same.

“There is no intention to form any new openings in the existing fabric of the warehouse.”

The empty floors of the western warehouse would be converted into state-of-the-art offices, with a running track and a clubhouse featuring changing rooms and facilities on the rooftop. 

The plans have now been submitted to Trafford Council and appear on the council’s website.

Originally part of the Liverpool Warehousing Company, the warehouses sit in the shadow of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

They were renovated in 2009 to become a prime events and hospitality venue.

The new Trafford Park Metrolink line, which would run past the venue, is expected to open in April, in an added bonus for prospective clients.