Printworks Manchester sits at the heart of the city’s nightlife and entertainment district, but its past tells a long and varied story. What started as a busy printing factory grew through decades of industry changes, wartime struggles, and city redevelopment. Now, Printworks stands as a popular entertainment complex, drawing visitors for cinema, dining, music, and more. Seeing how it moved from industrial powerhouse to a social hub gives a fresh perspective on both Manchester’s industrial legacy and its modern identity.
The Foundation: Printworks as a Printing Powerhouse
Printworks got its name from its original purpose. Built in 1873, it first opened as Withy Grove Printing House and quickly became one of the largest newspaper printing facilities in Europe. For over a century, the building played a vital role in British media, printing major publications like The Daily Mirror and The Manchester Evening Chronicle. To picture life at the time, imagine huge rolls of paper, the distinct smell of ink, and the constant sound of presses echoing down wide factory halls.
In the height of its newspaper production during the early 20th century, the site was the nerve centre for getting the news to the people of Manchester and the North West. Thousands of workers, from typesetters to machine operators, could be found on shift through day and night. Newspapers printed here reached millions each week, carrying not just the latest headlines, but also the voice and energy of the city itself. Printworks’ contribution left a lasting mark on Manchester’s identity—people grew up reading papers that rolled off those very presses.
Growth, Technology, and Wartime Challenges
Through the decades, Printworks didn’t stand still. The printing business needed to keep up with new technology and changing demands. Investment in new machines and faster printing methods helped maintain its place as a leading facility in the country. The constant push for progress meant new printing techniques, innovations in layout, and better-quality inks that kept the site at the forefront of media production.
World War II brought new pressures. Manchester was a key target during the Blitz, and Printworks was struck by bombs several times. Even with damage, staff worked hard to get the presses rolling again, sometimes printing newspapers on different paper sizes or even with missing pages during the worst disruptions. This drive to keep the news flowing proved how important the site was for both the community and the country’s media. Workers showed resilience, adapting to every challenge thrown their way, doing whatever it took to keep Manchester informed.
After the war, Printworks embraced changes in printing, moving gradually toward automation. The adoption of phototypesetting and rotary presses gave a big boost in efficiency. These advancements kept the facility relevant, and the site often acted as a proving ground for new printing technologies during the post-war boom, leading it to outlast many similar operations elsewhere.
The Slow Decline of Newspaper Printing at Withy Grove
Like many industrial sites, Printworks eventually saw a slowdown. Newspaper printing across the UK went through changes as television news, emerging technologies, and big shifts in ownership changed the landscape. By the 1980s and 1990s, the massive printing presses at Withy Grove grew quieter. The building eventually fell into disuse after the site was closed in 1985.
For several years, the structure stood empty, locked behind fences and slowly fading into the background as Manchester regenerated elsewhere. At that point, Printworks appeared to be part of the city’s past rather than its future. The shell of bricks and mortar served as a reminder of a different era, and many locals wondered whether such grand Victorian structures would ever find their place in a modern city again.
Transformation: From Empty Factory to Entertainment Destination
By the late 1990s, Manchester leaders saw a new opportunity for Printworks. The building was in a prime spot, beside Exchange Square, and with new investment pouring into the city, it was time to give it a new life. The revamp aimed to keep some architectural features like the original façade and clock tower while completely overhauling the inside.
The transformation was dramatic. The empty factory spaces were replaced with restaurants, bars, and a large multiplex cinema. I remember walking through soon after its reopening in 2000 and feeling surprised to see neon lights, music, and crowds in a place that used to be all about industry and ink. Original beams and red brick, once used by workers in overalls, were now the backdrop for families and partygoers. The area soon became a favorite nightlife and gathering spot, drawing in people from across Greater Manchester and visitors from further afield.
City planners saw Printworks as a crucial piece in the wider regeneration effort that also brought life to the nearby Corn Exchange and National Football Museum. By reimaging old industrial spaces as centers for fun and culture, Manchester stepped up as a northern hub for entertainment, showing what can happen when tradition meets fresh thinking.
Modern Printworks: Entertainment and Culture Under One Roof
Today, Printworks Manchester is all about fun, food, and leisure. The gigantic Vue cinema draws crowds for the latest movies, while themed bars, clubs, and eateries fill the old printing halls with laughter and energy. Over twenty venues now call the building home, from independent spots to international chains. The mix of settings means you can grab sushi, listen to live music, catch a blockbuster, and shoot pool, all under the same roof.
Printworks regularly hosts cultural events and festivals, bringing people together for everything from food celebrations to charity runs. Photographers and artists also use the site’s industrial backdrop for creative projects, blending the city’s heritage with its current trends. The venue even sometimes spotlights up-and-coming talent, with pop-up markets and art installations on display. When I think about how different the building is today compared to its noisy, industrial beginnings, it underlines how cities and spaces can find new roles while still keeping some of their old character alive.
Because Printworks sits right at the city’s core, it’s not just a destination for nightlife but also a meeting place for daytime events—family outings, shopping excursions, and even the occasional business meetup all happen amid the revamped walls. The blend of modern amenities and historic architecture creates a unique atmosphere, mixing Manchester’s past with its present buzz. It’s a place where memories are made every day.
Preserving Heritage: What Remains of the Old Printing Era?
Despite the modern entertainment focus, traces of the original printing works are still easy to spot. The iconic façade has been kept, with its bold stonework and sturdy brick arches now framing bright signage for new tenants. Inside, exposed steel beams and high ceilings hint at the building’s scale and former use. Street art, memorabilia, and information boards around the site remind visitors of the factory era.
Many people, like me, enjoy spotting these older features and thinking about the stories behind them. Seeing families and friends making new memories in those same halls where printing presses once thundered creates a sense that history never fully disappears; it just finds a new way to be part of daily life. Visitors today can track down original marks left behind on walls and floors, pieces of equipment turned into art, and even photographs that show workers at their stations, capturing the spirit of every decade from the 1870s through the 1980s.
The building’s careful restoration ensures that it stands as a living monument, showcasing how Manchester values its roots even as it jumps into new adventures. Kids running past old clock faces, couples posing beneath the preserved stone archways—it all comes together to keep the memory of the past alive in the present moment.
Key Milestones in Printworks History
- 1873: Original Withy Grove Printing House opens.
- Mid-20th century: Peak of newspaper production, publishing millions of copies each week.
- 1940s: Bombed during World War II, but remains operational.
- 1985: Printing operations end and building closes.
- 1998-2000: Major redevelopment begins, saving the façade and clock tower.
- 2000: Printworks reopens as an entertainment and leisure complex.
Frequently Asked Questions about Printworks Manchester
Question: Is any of the old printing machinery still inside Printworks?
Answer: While the main factory areas were fully revamped during the transformation, some original steelwork, artwork, and features pay tribute to the building’s industrial past. The massive presses and machinery are no longer there, but visitors can find information and photos about the old printing process displayed throughout the site.
Question: Can visitors learn about the history when they visit Printworks?
Answer: Yes, signs and plaques inside and outside give background on its printing days. Special events or exhibitions on Manchester’s industrial past sometimes use Printworks as a location, making it a good place to mix entertainment with learning about history.
Question: How did Printworks survive after closing its doors as a factory?
Answer: The building stayed empty for over a decade but avoided demolition due to its historical architecture. City planners and developers saw a chance to save the heritage façade while completely updating the space inside. This made the refurbishment possible and gave the building a fresh start with a new purpose.
Looking Back and Forward: Why Printworks Matters
When I see Printworks now, full of music, friends meeting up, and city life, I think about all the changes it has been through. From the clang of type and rumble of printing presses to today’s live DJs and film soundtracks, the building still brings people together. Its story is an example of how cities mix it up and adapt as needs change, but also how keeping pieces of the past alive makes a place more meaningful.
The next time I visit Manchester, I plan on stopping by Printworks again, not just for dinner or a movie, but to take another look at the old walls that have been through so much. Buildings like this are more than just spaces for fun; they’re records of how the city and its people move forward while remembering where they started.