Manchester's Hotspur Press 'potentially condemned' by listed building bid

The redevelopment of a Victorian printing mill in Manchester city centre is on hold because it’s subject to a listed building application.

The Hotspur Press has fallen into dereliction since printing stopped on-site in 1996. It’s been subject to numerous refurbishment attempts, including a plan to convert the mill into a 171-home, 28-storey block of flats.

Even though the proposal was given planning permission in 2020, building work never got off the ground — leaving the mill to crumble for years more. That looked set to change earlier this year, however, as a new developer got the green light from the council for its redevelopment.

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Manner’s plan will retain the mill’s facade and iconic ‘Percy Brothers’ signage, but build a 36-storey student housing tower, with space for 595 bedrooms, plus a new public square.

It secured planning permission in May, but work still hasn’t begun on Cambridge Street. Builders can’t get started because an anonymous listed building application was made, preventing construction of the student towers.

The listing application was lodged in late summer, and the government body which oversees listed buildings is still considering the bid — but has confirmed it has received heritage group Historic England’s opinion on the matter.

Usually, it takes 12 working days for a listing request to be decided. But in the Hotspur Press’ case, it’s been months — prompting developers to hit out at the government.

“We are calling for the urgent need to decide on the listing process for The Hotspur Press,” said Richard James, Manner boss. “It has now been three months since Historic England issued its report