VERSA Studios Manchester was officially launched in a glittering ceremony last night.
Formerly the iconic home of Granada Television, VERSA Studios Manchester has been transformed into a dynamic studio facility and forms part of Allied London’s game-changing £1bn St Johns development.
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 is already being used for hit productions like Dragons’ Den.
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.
Building on its 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 features state-of-the-art, 4K-enabled galleries and a comprehensive suite of production spaces, ensuring it meets the demands of modern content creation.
VERSA Studios Manchester
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, said: “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.”
Last night around 300 people attended VERSA Manchester’s launch event with included speeches by Mike Ingall, chairman and CEO of Allied London and the founder of VERSA, and Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council.
It was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Lisa Morton, founder and CEO of Roland Dransfield, which included an interview with Emma Morris, executive editor or Morning Live and The One Show.
The Morning Live show is broadcast daily from the ABC Building on Quay Street in Manchester.
Founded in 2018, VERSA Studios is the UK’s leading network of TV and film production facilities, with locations in London, Manchester, and Leeds.
Clients include the BBC, ITV, Netflix, Amazon, Paramount, and a host of independent producers and production companies.
St Johns Manchester