Repair bill hits venue transformed into Nightingale unit

MANCHESTER Central’s turnover increased in the year before it was transformed into an NHS Nightingale Hospital for the Covid-19 pandemic, but its profits took a hit due to repair works to the 140-year-old building, new documents have revealed.

The Grade II-listed site has posted a turnover of £19.4m for the 12 months to March 31, 2020, up from £18.6m, while its pre-tax profits dipped from £2.2m to £803,000.

Manchester Central hosts conferences, exhibitions and events and also provides retail catering, hospitality and event services to the Manchester Town Hall and Central Library.

The Town Hall closed for a major refurbishment in January 18 which has resulted in a reduction in revenue from this source. It is due to reopen in 2024.

During the year the venue welcomed 415,256 visitors which the company has said generated an economic impact of £113m for the wider city region.

However, the conference centre has been occupied by the NHS as a Nightingale Hospital since April 2020, with the site set to be decommissioned this month.

During the financial year covering in the documents, which were filed with Companies House, “considerable investment” in maintenance and repairs to the listed buildings were undertaken which resulted in a decrease in operating profit from £2.6m to £1.1m.

A statement signed off by the board said: “The event sector of the business continues to go from strength to strength.”