Band on the Wall, probably the most famous music venue in the Northern Quarter, appears to be on its way back. Having closed for refurbishment way back in 2005, there were concerns that it might never reopen.

But Inner City Music, the charity that runs the venue, have just announced that the project has received £3.2m from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Manchester City Council is stumping up a further £500,00+ while a ’substantial individual private donation’ helps make up the the £4m target figure.

The proposed project includes:

• A refurbished main space with a new sound system and restored 19th-century features and balcony
• The purchase of the adjacent building, to be named The Picturehouse and used for music, image, performance, and as an online music archive and information hub
• An archive and development project about the music, musicians and venue
• A new recording studio to enable local musicians to make live music recordings
• Improved facilities for people of all ages and the disabled

Work will begin from January 2008 and the venue will reopen in late 2008 or early 2009. Read more about the history of Band on the Wall and the campaign to restore it here.