Manchester Academy to be refurbished

Manchester's largest all standing music venue the Academy 1 is to undergo major refurbishment over the next six months, beginning this weekend, and will be re-opened in September.

The renovation is set to cost £2.5million, and is expected to be completed by January 2008, with the capacity of the venue likely to increase to around 4000 people, more than double the original size, making it larger than the Manchester Apollo, Manchester’s second largest major venue, which has a capacity of 3500.

	"the capacity of the venue is likely to increase to around 4000 people, making it larger than the Manchester Apollo,"

There is to be a full refurbishment of the bars, toilets, cloakrooms, first aid facilities and the entrance of the building. As well as a larger stage, and a purpose built disabled viewing area.

There are plans to make the building environmentally friendly, by harvesting rainwater for the toilets. It will be heated by means of "deep borehole heat conversion" and solar panels.

The final gig at the Academy before the refurbishment will be a St Patricks Day Party, featuring The Undertones, tickets are available and on sale here.

FUTURE GIGS