VERSA Studios Manchester officially opens, ushering in a new era for the historic site that has been a cornerstone of British television for over 70 years.
Formerly the iconic home of Granada Television, VERSA Studios Manchester has transformed into a dynamic studio facility, honouring its rich history. With state-of-the-art refurbishments, including the installation of two brand-new TV Tech Galleries, TV, Film, Motion Capture, and VR/AR Studios, VERSA is revitalising Manchester’s legacy as a hub for TV and Film. With over 200,000 sq. ft. of production space, the studios can meet the needs of any production.
Over its illustrious history, Granada Studios served as the birthplace of some of British television’s most iconic series, from Coronation Street to Brideshead Revisited and The Jewel in the Crown. Granada Studios also contributed to Manchester’s cultural identity by hosting legendary performances from artists such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Joy Division. Building on this remarkable legacy, the new era of VERSA combines state-of-the-art facilities with the heritage of a location that shaped UK broadcasting and culture for decades.
Adding to this, VERSA Studios Manchester offers premium amenities, including dressing rooms, luxury green rooms, event areas, and the VERSA Club Lounge, providing a “home away from home” for productions. The newly reimagined campus also features state-of-the-art, 4K-enabled galleries and a comprehensive suite of production spaces, ensuring it meets the demands of modern content creation.
Already home to BBC’s Morning Live, The Crystal Maze, and Cloud Imperium Games’ Star Citizen & Squadron 42, the studios have also hosted productions for Sky, Amazon, ITV, Paramount, BBC, Netflix and more.
Charlie Ingall, Founder and Executive Director of VERSA Studios, commented:
“VERSA Manchester Studios is built to be the leading destination for television, while also providing a first-class environment for film and creative productions. With world-class facilities, cutting-edge technology, and a location at the heart of the industry, we’re here to support broadcasters, filmmakers, and content creators in bringing their projects to life.”
As part of the VERSA Manchester launch event on Wednesday 26th February, there are a series of daytime and evening activities including Studio Tours and Live Tech Demo Showcases as well as drinks in the new Club Lounge.
The Daytime showcases include:
-Virtual Production – Studio 12
-Heritage Celebration – Studio 5, 8 & Club Lounge
-Motion Capture – Studio 6
-Podcast – Studio 4 – ‘In ConVERSAtion’ with Reform Radio capturing guest interviews
The Evening event includes:
The unveiling of an exciting VERSA Modern trailer, opening remarks by Mike Ingall (VERSA Founder) / Charlie Ingall (VERSA Executive Director) and words from Bev Craig of the Manchester City Council, a short Q&A with BBC Morning Live, live music from Singer Nina Morton and DJ’s from Reform Radio, drinks, food and more.
The VERSA Manchester launch event offers an exclusive first look at the next chapter of this iconic location – where cutting-edge production meets a legacy that shaped UK broadcasting and culture.
Sponsors: Allied London, BBC Morning Live, Silverscape, Cloud Imperium, Reform Radio, Women in Film & TV, MBS Equipment Co, EMG / Gravity Media, Spiritland, Mo-sys, Disguise, STLD, Shiko Group, Picture Shop, VSS, Brompton Technology, Lifted Entertainment, Universal Pixels, Chaos Karts, Fac365.
