Manchester Central Convention Complex

Manchester Central Convention Complex is an events venue in the city center housed inside a historic railway station building. Its interior holds three pavilions for exhibitions, a seated hall, and additional meeting spaces beneath a tall arched glass roof.

The building opened as a railway station in 1880 and served train traffic until 1969. After years of vacancy, the hall became an exhibition and convention center in 1986.

The hall hosts public fairs such as travel or food events throughout the year, along with professional conferences covering sectors like housing or technology. Visitors can walk through wide exhibition stands or attend talks in smaller conference rooms depending on the occasion.

The center sits between two tram stops and a short walk from the city's main railway stations. Large events can cause queues at the entrance, so arriving early helps.

During the 2020 pandemic, the building temporarily became a field hospital with hundreds of beds. The converted hall provided medical care for patients before returning to event use.

Location: Manchester

Inception: 1986

Architects: Sir John Fowler, 1st Baronet

Official opening: March 21, 1986

GPS coordinates: 53.47610,-2.24737

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24