MediaCity and Quayside, Salford, for Peel Media and Landsec, with Chapman Taylor

Since its first phase 12 years ago, the 23.3ha site at MediaCity now hosts 7,000 residents, almost 10,000 students across five educational establishments, 250 small to medium sized businesses as well as a number of large corporates such as Kellogg’s, Ericsson and ITV.

Who is on the project team? (designer, consultants, etc)

The MediaCity Place team is supported by a number of dedicated and passionate external consultants including HemingwayDesign, Modern Designers, Carousel PR and Blend Family who operate Kargo Mkt on behalf of MediaCity. Seven Bro7hers manage Box on the Docks on MediaCity’s behalf.

Describe the context of this project, its neighbourhood and people.

MediaCity was at the time of its development the largest regeneration project in Europe transforming derelict land banks on the Manchester Ship Canal into a new, highly sustainable mixed use destination. Anchored by the BBC, University of Salford and dock10 with a cluster of commercial and residentials towers it welcomed its first residents and workers 12 years ago. Today, it is recognised as a vibrant and thriving destination with a diverse neighbourhood made up of students, residents and creative community creating a place awash with energy, ideas and opportunity to work, learn, live and enjoy leisure time. There are 7,000 residents, almost 10,000 students across five educational establishments, 250 small to medium sized businesses as well as a number of large corporates such as Kellogg’s, Ericsson and ITV co-existing in a safe, managed space with negligible crime rates. It has a growing independent food and drink scene with summer season pop-up ‘Box on the Docks’ and new foodie destination Central Bay which opened in 2023. Public events are regularly held, with MediaCity hosting its first festival - We Invented the Weekend in 2023. MediaCity has everything a city should offer plus more. Its community and visitors enjoy the safe, wide open, car free spaces such as the Piazza, gardens and Lowry Plaza with its waterfront setting bringing a tranquil air to the site. People enjoy the waterfront pathways for walking, cycling and running while dock 9 is popular with open water swimmers. MediaCity’s USP - it has space to breathe. 

How has this place adapted, and how does it continue to adapt, to changing demographics, behaviors, market context, policy, transport habits and the climate crisis? What makes it resilient?

MediaCity has been agile to meet market and consumer demands. Post pandemic, a surge in demand for flexible workspace has seen MediaCity respond by significantly investing in and extending its ARRIVE workspace offer. Wellbeing is high on its workers’ agenda with this space providing occupiers with sleep pods as well as yoga and net-walking session. Our Wellbeing LIVE event in March 2023 provided workshops, classes, expert panel sessions with over 135 of the MediaCity attending. In 2023 MediaCity, dynamically responded to Salford City Council’s Salford Quays 2030 vision which, following community engagement, highlighted a desire for a convenience-led town centre provision as well as a strong independent offering. A £5 million investment followed transforming Quayside’s southern walkway into a new independent food and drink destination – Central Bay which champions local culinary talent within its food hall Kargo Mkt. The concept has been a runaway success – creating a new destination, jobs and contributing to the local economy. Plans are underway to bring a range of health services to Quayside as the team work to reshape its offering. Climate resilience is high on the agenda. Risk assessments of all MediaCity assets focussed on two climate scenarios: a 1.5°C increase in global temperature, and a 2°C increase. We now understand the climate resilience of MediaCity over various timeframes if we were to do nothing compared to if we action the measures identified. MediaCity is connected to the Greater Manchester tram network with two stops – currently, 24% travel via public transport. 

Please share any data or evidence about the social, economic and environmental performance of this place, or any relevant figures such as footfall, visitors, engagement metrics, residents, etc

Since its launch in early September 2023 Kargo Mkt has achieved +145% above the projected sales target up to December 2023. This positively impacted overall sales across Quayside increasing by 27% compared to the same period Sept-Dec the previous year. Quayside footfall since Central Bay opened is +34% equating to +376,494 more visitors. M&S Outlet and Vue cinema report they have had their best performing year following the opening of Central Bay. This success will further support investment into Quayside to create a convenience led town centre offering in line with the Salford 2030 vision. WITW attracted 60,000 visitors over the weekend event – the highest footfall recorded in MediaCity’s 12-year history and generated £3.2million for the local economy. A third of attendees were from Salford, with 25% of visitors visiting from outside of Greater Manchester. The impact on MediaCity’s existing tenants was substantial - 40% of festival attendees visited a restaurant or café, 27% a pub or bar, and 40% shopped More than 160 event and content partners delivered over 200 free activities for visitors as the cost-of-living crisis was at its peak. Following a successful pop-up at the Festival – Charity Supermarket earmarked Quayside as its first northern based store extending from an initial six week run to three months due to its popularity selling 8,000 items to the value of over £64,000 with a number of charities benefitting from the proceeds.