Freight Island, Platform

Baring St, Manchester, M1 2PY -

From
£8500 min spend
Up to
900 guests
Offers
catering
Internal Catering
allowed

About Venue

Freight Island is Manchester’s reimagined railway depot turned cultural hotspot, bringing food, drink, music and atmosphere together under one vast roof. It feels alive the moment you arrive, with buzzing bars, street food from top kitchens, and spaces that suit everything from private celebrations to full-scale festivals. This is not just another venue, it is a landmark destination that mixes industrial heritage with a forward-looking, creative spirit.

The beauty of Freight Island is how versatile it is. Couples choose it for weddings with a difference, teams book it for energising away days, and brands love it for high-impact launches or showcases. With nine unique spaces to choose from, every event can find its perfect setting, whether that’s an intimate gathering or a large-scale production.

What really makes Freight Island stand out is the experience behind the scenes. The team are on hand to help shape your plans, and organisers have the freedom to scale their event in ways that feel effortless. Exclusive hire, premium catering and flexible packages give you the tools to design something truly memorable. It’s a venue that works as hard as you do to deliver.

Located just two minutes from Manchester Piccadilly Station and close to a wide choice of hotels, Freight Island is easy for guests travelling from near or far. Parking options and public transport links make access simple, while the central location keeps the city right on your doorstep.

About this space:

The Platform at Freight Island is a large-scale event space with a stage, LED screen, and capacity for up to 900 guests. Set on a raised section overlooking the Ticket Hall, it offers a commanding view and a versatile setup for everything from gala dinners to high-energy brand activations.

The space comes equipped with advanced AV, staging options, and its own private dressing room, making it suitable for award ceremonies, conferences, or themed parties. With flexible layouts and an exclusive bar, The Platform gives organisers the ability to create impactful, large-scale events with ease.

- Capacity: 500 seated / 900 standing
- Full stage with LED screen and lighting
- Exclusive bar with dedicated staff
- Private dressing room for performers or speakers
- Multiple layout options including theatre, cabaret, and restaurant style

Contact us through VenueScanner to check availability, book this space, or explore other rooms that may suit your event.

Capacity & Layout

Standing

up to 900

Dining

up to 500

Theatre

up to 500

Cabaret

up to 500

Food & Beverage

Catering arrangements

Catering facilities

Facilities & Amenities

Cloakroom

Disabled access

Stage

Table / chairs included

Audio & Visual

Sound system

Projector & screen

WiFi

Space Rules

Allowed events

Licensed for alcohol

Location

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Reviews

bald vale
June 2025
Amazing & unique all in one entertainment and multiple restaurant complex. The food from Patterson's was some of the best that I have ever had. All the bar staff were very friendly and helpful. It's hard to describe what the place looks like as it's so unique. I really enjoyed my visit and will definitely go back.
Tiarnán Byrne
March 2025
Freight Island is a food hall which hosts events and is the perfect place to watch big sporting events. There is a large selection of food and drinks on sale here, making it perfect when you have a group with differing opinions. Among this there are a number of vegan/plant-based options. We first tried the Fuku Tofu bowl with Hoi Sin sauce which was delicious. I personally would have preferred slightly more tofu but it was very tasty. We also tried Burgerism which served their Vegan Burger with signature burger sauce. This was absolutely amazing! One of the best vegan burgers I have ever tried; the smashed patty was just delicious and perfectly cooked. Overall this is an amazing venue to visit with friends and super convenient as it is located right beside Picadilly station. I would definitely advise visiting if you are in the area 😊
Lee gray
July 2025
This is a cool idea, they’ve put lots of nice food places in one big area Good vibes 😎 Nice food 🥘 Plenty of selection for various drinks too 🍺🍹 There’s usually live music on too so what more could you want? 😎💚

Alexandra Novák
June 2025
First time visiting and it definitely won’t be the last! There was an impressive variety of food options- everything looked so delicious it was hard to choose! Plenty of tasty dishes to suit all cravings. Great selection of beers too, with something for everyone. We sat outside and enjoyed the lively atmosphere, with a DJ playing great music that really set the vibe. Highly recommend!
S A
August 2025
We went for a 90s night event on Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the place once in. Lots of choice of drinks and bars. Food was great from FUKU. The music even was busy and the atmosphere was great, will think about attending another night at some point.