Manchester arts centre runs £100m over budget

A new arts centre in Manchester that was due to be completed three years ago is now £100m over budget, it has emerged.

The Architect's Journal reports that the Factory arts centre in Manchester, designed by Dutch architect OMA, had a £111.6m price tag when it was approved in 2017. 

The scheme, which is being developed by Allied London and Manchester City Council, includes a 7,000-capacity venue and was due to complete in 2019 but has been plagued by spiralling costs.

A new report by Manchester City Council is calling on councillors to release a further £25.2m for the project ahead of its summer 2023 opening, taking the overall cost to £210.8m – an increase of £99.2m, or 89 per cent, on the original budget.

"The external environment has remained and continues to be extremely challenging, particularly with the conflict in Ukraine which has disrupted the supply chain and contributed to unprecedented levels of inflation," the report states. 

"The shortages in the labour market have also had an impact."

The council’s resources and governance committee and executive committee will review the cost increases on 11 October prior to a vote on 19 October.