Squatters transform old cinema into arts venue
SQUATTERS have taken over the old Cornerhouse cinema . . . and turned it into a temporary arts space.
A group of about 20 men and woman, many of them homeless, are in the landmark building in Oxford Street, which was vacated in April 2015 when it moved to the newly-opened HOME complex at First Street.
Those who have taken over the venue – which is controlled by Network Rail – say they are not just using it as a place to sleep and eat but as their own arts space.
Over recent months, groups of squatters have occupied high-profile buildings across Manchester city centre, including the former Manchester Stock Exchange building owned by Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.
It’s not known how the squatters gained access to the Cornerhouse.
Members of the group, who have given themselves the name Loose Space, told the M.E.N. they are planning to put on their own film screenings, workshops and music events.
The red seats, which will be familiar to cinema-goers, remain inside the building – but the squatters have had to install their own video and audio equipment as it had been removed.
Margo Riley, one of the organisers, told the M.E.N.: “We have people from all walks of life, there are about 20 people, some who are homeless and some who are newly-housed.
“Homeless or not, it’s a space where people can get together and create art.
“We are doing something productive, and I’m hoping that nobody is going to mind because it has been empty for a while.”
The vacant building had been earmarked as a future site for new flats, offices and a hotel.
The M.E.N. previously told how Manchester council and Network Rail had tipped Bruntwood to become its preferred developer.
The building which used to house the former art gallery and bar is being leased to Manchester Metropolitan University, which is using the site as an arts and media hub.
But the cinema building opposite on the corner of Whitworth Street West is where the squatters are based.
It still bears the goodbye message on the old cinema board, which reads: ‘Thanks for 30 years, see you at HOME’.
Network Rail has been approached for a comment about what – if any – action it will take against the occupation.
Land owners can appeal to the courts to take back control of their land.
This has happened at other city centre buildings occupied by squatters including the former Ducie Bridge pub, in Corporation Street, and at the site of an old Pizza Express restaurant in Deansgate.