On Balance Autumn/Winter 2015

22 On Balance Weighing the issues of commercial law
WELCOME HOME
MANCHESTER’S £25
MILLION ARTS CENTRE
OPENS ITS DOORS
Earlier this year HOME, the largest arts centre
outside London, opened its doors in Manchester.
Based on First Street, HOME is a
merger of Manchester’s much-loved
Cornerhouse and the Library Theatre
Company. Opened by patron Danny Boyle, the venue is a new
centre for contemporary visual art, theatre and film and the
biggest arts complex of its type outside London.
The overall budget for the project was £25 million. Manchester
City Council committed £19 million and Arts Council England
awarded £5 million capital funding as part of its investment
programme. The remaining £1 million was met by fundraising
and donations.
Weightmans’ North West teams provided significant pro-bono
advice on all aspects of the development and grant funding.
Karl Jackson, Partner and Head of Real Estate at Weightmans,
has been a board member of Cornerhouse since 1996
providing legal expertise and a wider understanding of the
business ecology, particularly of the property sector to the
board and senior management team.
Said Karl:
“It was a privilege to work alongside Manchester City Council,
the Arts Council and Danny Boyle in delivering such a huge
project from inception to opening.
Danny Boyle, Patron of HOME with Karl Jackson, Weightmans’ Head of Real Estate
“The support of the Council has been immense and without
which the whole project would not have happened. The site
includes five cinemas showing independent cinema, two
contemporary art galleries and two theatres and is predicted to
be the catalyst for the creation of 10,000 jobs within the City.”
Dave Moutrey, Director and Chief Executive, HOME, added:
“HOME is a fantastic addition to the cultural landscape
regionally, nationally and internationally and we couldn’t have
realised this fantastic project without the incredibly generous
support from Weightmans.”
Said Dave:
“Together, and not forgetting to include a huge mention of
gratitude to Manchester City Council, the Arts Council, Danny
and all of our other patrons and supporters, we’re proud to say
that we have created a HOME for everyone, staging challenging
and critically engaged art, yet connected with our audience
and communities. We aim to introduce them to new and
extraordinary experiences of outstanding art and show off to
the world just what is possible in our beautiful new building.”
Weightmans is committed to supporting the Arts and recently
commissioned an Arts & Culture survey of North West
businesses in association with Insider magazine.
The survey indicated that more businesses than ever before
now recognise the economic benefit of supporting the arts
in the North West, with the majority of companies currently
supporting an arts or cultural organisation, charity or event.
Added Karl Jackson:
“It is hugely encouraging that businesses increasingly
recognise the economic benefit of supporting the arts.”
© Copyright. Weightmans 2015. All rights reserved.