10 Jul 2023

Human interest Greater Manchester

Proud to power Manchester International Festival

Electricity North West are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Factory International, the organisation behind Manchester International Festival, for the sixth time.

Electricity North West car handover

The bi-annual festival is well underway with a whole host of performances still to take place across Greater Manchester and online.

We’ve been involved with the festival team since 2013 and each time, we’ve provided a fleet of electric vehicles and powered special venues. This year is no different and just prior to the festival, we handed over three vehicles to the festival team to help them move around the city.

Speaking about our involvement, Paul Bircham, our safety, markets and compliance director, said: “We play a major role in the North West, not only keeping the power flowing to millions of homes, communities and businesses every day, but in providing the investment and infrastructure that supports the region’s economic growth and drive to achieve its ambitious carbon reduction targets.

“We’re proud to be official partners of Manchester International Festival again and the newly built Factory International arts venue.  Our network connects communities and powers the success of a whole host of events like the festival and we’re really pleased to be playing our part in showcasing the region to the world.”

The festival is one of the leading arts festivals, and the first to be entirely focused on the commissioning and producing of ambitious new work.

Artists from different art forms and backgrounds create dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking new work reflecting the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture, staged across Greater Manchester – from theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks.

This year, Festival Square relocates to the spaces outside the landmark new home of Factory International, Aviva Studios, which is set to become a global destination for arts, music and culture as well as adding over £1bn to the local economy over the next decade!

Ahead of the building’s official opening in October, audiences will get a chance to preview the space at Manchester International Festival 2023 (MIF23) with a series of events inside and outside the building.

Sheena Wrigley, venue director for Factory International added: “We’re delighted that Electricity North West are supporting MIF23 and Factory International this year and continuing their loyal support of the organisation.

“The electric vehicles are invaluable to our team as we transport people and equipment around the city during MIF in a more sustainable way and Electricity North West’s commitment to connecting communities and showcasing the region to the world aligns perfectly with our aims as we prepare to open the doors to this new cultural landmark.”