Extraordinary baby grand piano store launches in vast showroom in Northern Quarter

One of the world's most famous piano-makers has launched a huge and luxurious new showroom - along a Northern Quarter backstreet.

C. Bechstein is renowned for its baby grand pianos beloved by musicians and artists the world over, and has now created its first purpose-built showroom in 120 years, choosing Manchester for the honour.

The results are quite staggering - a vast warehouse-vibe showroom with over 70 glossy upright and baby grand pianos waiting for their ivories to be tinkled.

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Instruments on sale here range from £3,000 basic models through to £155,000 Bechstein concert pianos.

The piano centre also includes six sound-proofed studios with pianos inside which can be hired by the hour for musicians or teachers for sessions or classes.

And at the centre is a performance area, where bosses aim to hold intimate piano concerts for invited guests.

The showroom opened to the public last week on Tib Street, opposite Sacha's Hotel and is the first purpose-built showroom and studios opened since Bechstein Hall was built in London in 1901.

Bechstein Hall went on to become Wigmore Hall in 1917 and is widely-regarded as one of the finest concert venues in the world.

Walking inside the venue is certainly quite the experience - with gleaming pianos as far as the eye can see, and serene blue wood panelling with crystal chandeliers in the centre walkway.

The centre represents a "significant financial investment" from the firm, which has been making pianos in Hanover, Germany, since 1853.

The centre has taken out 9,000sq ft of the vast ground floor space of the new Transmission House mixed use development which has been built on