Established in 2017 in direct response to a growing need for a recording facility in the region with capacity to grow, South City Studio’s unique offering gives artists who would typically be turned away from smaller venues access to a full suite of state-of-the-art pre-production equipment. This includes everything from set-up, design and development in-house, to soundproof studios and VIP facilities for artists to prepare for live gigs and tours. It is the only place in the North West to provide this, meaning appetite for growth was important from the outset.
Inspired by the vision, NPIF’s investment has been the catalyst in bring South City Studio’s development ambitions to reality and, in doing this, creating new jobs in the region. It has enabled the business to supercharge growth plans and expand into new premises, taking it from two to over 30 studios and recording facilities at Pear Mill and adding a new location at Welkin Mill in Stockport.
Complementing the expanded functional production offering and ongoing rebrand, the support from NPIF has also enabled the spaces to organically nurture an accessible Media City-style cultural hub for ambitious individuals and groups in the creative industry looking to come together for study, learning and mentorship.
South City Studios is at the heart of Manchester’s music scene, having attracted an impressive roster of artists and sponsors since its launch. Additionally, as a result of introductions to Stockport Council via NPIF, the business has been pinpointed as one of fastest growing scale-ups in the town – named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2023. It is working with the Council to provide new routes to industry, with a number of educational packages to develop talent in the region, including job opportunities, holiday camps, summer school, work experience and mentoring.
To build on the significantly impactful success of the business to date, Sound City Studio will take its new brand to reach further audiences nationally and internationally, with a specific focus on Europe and America. The community growth is set to continue, with a diverse pool of talent engaging with the studio every day, quickly labelling it the go-to place in the North West.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund invests through appointed fund managers – to find out more visit https://www.npif.co.uk/funds-available/
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
