Venue Information for Visitors

Buy Art Fair
Manchester Central Convention Complex
Windmill Street
Manchester
M2 3GX

Telephone: 0161 834 2700
Manchester Central

Press and promotional photography and filming is taking place on these premises. Your attendance serves as permission for the use of your image by the show and its constituents.

For your security, bag checks will be carried out as you enter the venue. Please have your bags ready for checking. Thank you for your co-operation.

Accessibility

Manchester Central is designed for maximum accessibility at all our events. Most exhibition space is on the ground floor/street level and can be easily accessed via the main entrance. Entrances are fully accessible and our foyer entrances are sensor-activated. Events on the first floor can be accessed via stairs or lifts.

Signage uses pictorial symbols and there are contrasting graphics on the wall-to-floor glazing. Assistance dogs are welcome and there are an Induction Loop facilities in Exchange Auditorium and Central and Charter Foyers.

Manchester Central is committed to continually improving accessibility for the venue and always welcome feedback from visitors. Recent improvements include disability awareness staff training; refurbished toilet facilities; smooth paving over cobbled access areas; highlighted nosing and additional handrails; and Deaf Alerter - a radio-based fire alarm.

There is lots of room for wheelchairs and self-propelled wheelchairs are available for use within the venue. To enquire, contact the First Aid department on +44 (0)161 834 2700 ext. 2211 or email. Bookings should be made in advance as availability cannot be guaranteed otherwise.

Directions

If using Sat Nav please use the postcode M2 3GX to get to the venue.

M6 ( From South )
Take junction 19 off the M6, just beyond Knutsford Services. From M6 pick up M56 ( for Manchester Airport ). Leave M56 at Junction 3 onto the A5103 ( Princess Parkway ) that will take you straight into the City Centre of Manchester and then you will pick up signs for Manchester Central Convention Complex.

M6 ( From North )
Continue along M6 and take junction 21a onto M62, through Eccles, to the end of the M602 ( Regent Road Roundabout, Salford ). Follow City Centre signs along Regent Road and turn left onto Water Street, then right onto Liverpool Road. Go across Deansgate to access Manchester Central.

OR ( Via M61 )
Take junction 30 ( just south of Preston ) onto M61.
Follow M61 until it becomes M62 at Swinton. Take junction 14a off M62 onto the A580 ( East Lancashire Road ). Follow A580 through Salford ( A6 ) into Manchester. Turn right onto Trinity Way, which then becomes Quay Street. Continue along Quay Street, straight across Deansgate onto Peter Street. Take the first right from Peter Street onto Watson Street for Manchester Central.

M62 ( From Liverpool )
Follow M62 to the end ( Regent Road Roundabout, Salford ). Follow City Centre signs along Regent Road. Turn left onto Water Street, then right onto Liverpool Road. Go across Deansgate to access Manchester Central.

M62 ( From Yorkshire )
Take junction 17 off M62 onto A56 ( Bury New Road ).
Follow A56 into Manchester. Turn right onto Trinity Way, which then becomes Quay Street. Continue along Quay Street, straight across Deansgate onto Peter Street. Take the first right from Peter Street onto Watson Street for Manchester Central.

A55 ( North Wales )
Follow A55, pick up A550 at Queensferry. Take the A5117 and continue along the A5117 until it becomes the start of M56.
Follow the M56, past Manchester Airport, then take junction 3 onto the A5103 ( Princess Parkway ). Follow the A5103 and it takes you straight into Manchester City Centre and pick up signage for Manchester Central Convention Complex.

From Trafford Centre
Leave at Festival Village exit. Follow signs for M60. Turn right after Asda onto Ash Burton Road ( B5214 ). Follow that all the way to A56. Follow signs for Manchester City Centre and you will pick up signs for Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Visit the Manchester Central Website for more information.

By Air

Manchester Airport is a major international hub just nine miles (14.5km) from the city centre. It serves more than 200 destinations worldwide including direct routes to nine US cities. From the airport, the city is approximately 25 minutes away by taxi or just 20 minutes via the half-hourly express rail service (tickets £3.00-£4.00).

Information on Manchester Airport can be found at:
www.manchesterairport.co.uk

By Rail

It takes a little over two hours to reach Manchester from London and Manchester also has direct connections to most major UK cities. Services arrive at Piccadilly or Victoria stations where passengers can connect with Metrolink trams for easy access to the city centre. Manchester Central is a 20 minute walk from Piccadilly Station or just 5 minutes by taxi. Alternatively, catch a connecting train to Oxford Road Station - just five minutes from Manchester Central on foot.

For groups of three to nine people, Virgin Trains offer a 20% discount off advanced ticket purchases.

To find out more visit: www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets/your-ticket/group-travel

Further information on train services can be found at:
www.virgintrains.co.uk
www.nationalrail.co.uk
www.tpexpress.co.uk
www.northernrailway.co.uk/stations/MAN

By Road

Manchester is at the heart of a comprehensive motorway network. Manchester's M60 orbital motorway provides easy access from north, south, east and west.

Directions:

M6 (from south – Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham)
Leave the M6 at junction 19, just after Knutsford Services. Follow the A556 towards Altrincham and pick up the M56 towards Manchester Airport. Follow the motorway onto the A5103 (Princess Parkway), then follow signs for Manchester Central, Petersfield.
M6 (from north – Preston, Blackpool, Carlisle)
Leave the M6 at junction 21a for the M62 towards Manchester. At junction 12, join the M602 and continue to the end of the motorway (Regent Road Roundabout, Salford). Follow signs to the city centre along Regent Road, and then to Manchester Central, Petersfield.
M62 (from west – Liverpool)
At M62 junction 12, join the M602 and continue to the end of the motorway (Regent Road Roundabout, Salford). Follow signs to the city centre along Regent Road, and then to Manchester Central, Petersfield.
M62 (from east – Leeds, Yorkshire)
At M62 junction 18, join the M60 west-bound. Take junction 17 onto the A56 (Bury New Road) and follow signs to the city centre, and then to Manchester Central, Petersfield.
M56 (from west – North Wales, Chester, Ellesmere Port)
Follow the M56 past Manchester Airport. Continue onto the A5103 (Princess Parkway), then follow signs for Manchester Central, Petersfield.

For parking, Manchester Central's on-site NCP car park is open 24 hours and the most convenient option.

Please see the NCP website for information on pricing and online booking

If using a satellite navigation system - please follow the postcode M2 3GX.

Information on planning a journey by car can be found at:
www.theaa.com
www.highways.gov.uk

Metroshuttle Buses

Metroshuttle buses are free and link the city centre's main rail stations, shopping areas and businesses. Click here for more information on routes.

Metrolink

The city’s Metrolink network is expanding and currently the nearest stop to Manchester Central is Deansgate-Castlefield. From there, we’re just a few minutes on foot - just follow the signs along the route.

Metrolink runs every few minutes from early morning until late in the evening. You don’t need a timetable, just turn up, buy your ticket and the next Metrolink will be along shortly. However while the network is being improved, please do check your route before travelling.

Routes and further information can be found on the Metrolink website.

Local Travel

Manchester's extensive multi-modal public transport network makes it easy to travel in and around Greater Manchester.

Find out more at www.tfgm.com or phone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. You can also visit a Travelshop at main bus stations throughout Greater Manchester, including Manchester Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill Interchange.

Taxis

Manchester Central works with Manchester’s black cab drivers to make sure they know when we're going to be busy.

There is a dedicated taxi rank at the front of the venue for pick ups and drop offs. Black cab taxis are readily available at Manchester Airport and both Piccadilly and Victoria train stations.

Parking

There is an NCP (National Car Park) directly below Manchester Central that is open 24 hours a day all year round. It has 720 spaces including 18 disabled parking bays and there is direct access to Manchester Central by lift, stairs and escalators.

The height restriction for this Car Park is 1.98m.

Please see the NCP website for information on pricing and online booking

For more information:

Tel: + 44 (0)161 817 8900
Website: www.ncp.co.uk

If using a satellite navigation system - please follow the postcode M2 3GX

Information on planning a journey by car can be found at:
www.theaa.com
www.highways.gov.uk

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