AV Installation & Studio IV Live Performance Venue at Granada Studios

Opened in 1956 as the UK’s first purpose-built TV centre, the former Granada Studios is one of Manchester’s most significant media landmarks. It was once home to Coronation Street for more than 50 years and hosted The Beatles’ first ever televised performance.

The site is now undergoing major redevelopment, incorporating hospitality, leisure and entertainment venues, including Mollie’s Motel & Diner Manchester. Tateside was appointed to design and install the audio-visual systems for the Mollie’s element of the development, which features advanced audio-visual systems to enhance guest experiences.

Mollie’s Manchester Brief

The brief for Mollie’s was to create spaces that were as technically capable as they were engaging and enjoyable to experience. The Mollie’s concept is an established roadside hotel brand with existing sites, but this Manchester location expanded the concept significantly.

These audio-visual systems are designed to create a captivating atmosphere, ensuring that guests enjoy an exceptional experience throughout their stay. The audio-visual systems installed also allow for flexible use, catering to a range of events from intimate gatherings to larger live performances.

“Our remit was to deliver a range of AV systems, consistent with previous Mollie’s installs, and lead in shaping Studio IV into a fully-fledged live performance, broadcast, and playback environment,” explains Cornish. “This included a Boiler Room–style set-up where live performances can be streamed to TVs across the premises, including for in-room entertainment.”

Mollie’s Scope of Works

The project required Tateside to operate across two distinct but co-located developments within the same building, with Mollie’s and Soho House functioning as separate entities. Each required fully segregated technical systems, independent networks and separate operational teams, with clearly defined deliverables for each brand.

Mollie’s Manchester Challenge

A major challenge occurred during construction when the original building contractor went bust in April 2024, halfway through the project. This resulted in a significant programme delay of approximately one year and required the project to be re-coordinated under new contractors.

“The scope was locked in fairly early, but with the delay some things were upgraded spec wise just because a whole new version had come out by that point,” says Cornish. Mollie’s spans from the basement through to the sixth floor, with guest accommodation occupying floors one to six.

“We had all the sit-down meetings, and then they went bust, and new contractors were brought in. You’ve got to remember that the first contractor had run half the cabling in and then went bust, so before the new contractors came in, we had to figure out what was there and what wasn’t.” With high-quality audio-visual systems, the venue is well-equipped for a variety of performance types, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the guests.

This innovative space showcases the latest in audio-visual systems technology, creating an immersive experience for all attendees. “The amount of double, triple checking to make sure things hadn’t been missed was huge. In a project of this size, there’s a lot of infrastructure going in, and a lot of knowledge was with people who maybe weren’t there anymore. That was a real challenge with this one.”

Studio IV: Live Performance Venue

Studio IV is a basement cocktail bar and live performance venue designed around a vintage-style wraparound bar and a 3-metre-wide on-stage LED screen capable of supporting live performances and pre-rendered content. “It’s a slightly different concept for them, because this site includes an area that can operate as a venue as well. Usually, it’s just a diner.” The space was designed to support live music, DJ sets, broadcast production and immersive entertainment experiences.

The integration of advanced audio-visual systems ensures that every performance is complemented by high-quality sound and visuals, bringing events to life. In addition, the outdoor areas are equipped with audio-visual systems that provide clear sound, allowing guests to enjoy performances from various locations.

This level of detail in the audio-visual systems reflects the commitment to quality and guest satisfaction at Mollie’s. The audio-visual systems are designed for user-friendly operation, making it ideal for both novice and experienced users during events.

Studio IV Audio System

The audio system in Studio IV is built around a Martin Audio professional loudspeaker system. This includes FlexPoint FP15 two-way full-range loudspeakers forming the main PA system, supported by SXCF118 cardioid 18-inch subwoofers. A distributed system of CDD10 compact loudspeakers and SXF115 subwoofers provides additional low-end reinforcement throughout the space. Dedicated foldback monitors are installed on stage to support performers.

Every aspect of the DJ and performance setup is enhanced by state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, ensuring a memorable experience for all. To complement the retro-inspired interior design, Elipson XLS11 loudspeakers were installed above the bar and integrated into the wider sound system. Outdoor areas are covered using IP54-rated weatherised CDD loudspeakers designed to withstand environmental exposure.

Studio IV Control & Operation

The integration of audio-visual systems allows for seamless broadcasting and streaming capabilities, elevating the venue’s offerings. These innovative audio-visual systems play a key role in delivering an engaging atmosphere for guests and performers alike.

AV control within Studio IV is managed via a Q-SYS touch panel system, which also handles lighting control either directly or via a connected lighting desk. The system is designed for maximum flexibility, allowing users to connect via HDMI for plug-and-play presentation or use wireless systems for content sharing. Audio levels can be controlled via physical faders, enabling intuitive operation.

The system has been designed to support both fully operator-managed events and operator-less nights to reduce operational costs. “We’re trying to cater for operator-less nights or operator-led nights, we have to provide for both, because it’s very cost prohibitive to hire a sound engineer every night,” says Cornish.

Throughout the venue, audio-visual systems have been carefully selected to meet the diverse needs of various events. The design of the audio-visual systems integrates seamlessly with the interior, enhancing the overall aesthetic while providing exceptional functionality. This commitment to audio-visual systems excellence ensures that every event hosted at Mollie’s is a success.

The flexibility of the audio-visual systems allows them to adapt to any type of event, making Mollie’s a premier choice for entertainment. Ultimately, the audio-visual systems at Mollie’s represent the forefront of technology in hospitality, ensuring guests receive an unparalleled experience.

DJ & Performance Setup

The DJ and performance setup includes Pioneer CDJ systems, an A9 mixer, Technics turntables and Martin Audio CDD-LIVE-8 monitors for stage monitoring. Lighting is provided by Chauvet quad-colour stage lighting systems, fully DMX-controlled and integrated for show control alongside visual content on the LED screen. Shure microphones and an Allen & Heath digital mixing console complete the performance infrastructure, allowing the space to accommodate a wide range of musical and live performance formats.

Broadcast & Streaming System

Broadcast capability is central to the Studio IV concept. A multi-camera BirdDog PTZ system captures live performances for broadcast or recording. This content is distributed throughout the building using a Blustream video-over-IP system, allowing guests to view live performances in public areas and guest rooms. A dedicated green room provides performers and production staff with live camera monitoring and return feeds.

“For Studio IV, we designed and fabricated retro video screens to form part of the distributed video-over-IP system. These sit flush within custom joinery above the bar,” explains Cornish. “Signage and live sports can be streamed on these screens, and they continue the aesthetic of the retro-inspired Elipson Heritage loudspeakers.”

Wider Mollie’s AV Installation

Across the wider Mollie’s development, Tateside installed Bowers & Wilkins AM-1 loudspeakers in reception and diner areas to provide high-quality background audio. Co-working spaces were fitted with Yealink A40 video bars integrated into Q-SYS room control systems.

Mollie’s Outcome

“They spent a long time developing the basement space called Studio IV…” The project successfully delivered a fully integrated hospitality and entertainment environment, combining hotel, dining and live performance capabilities within a single development.

Studio IV now operates as a flexible venue supporting live music, DJ performances, broadcast events and streaming, while the wider Mollie’s site benefits from a consistent and high-quality AV infrastructure. “This is a Boiler Room–style set-up where live performances can be streamed to TVs across the premises, including for in-room entertainment.”

The project demonstrates Tateside’s ability to deliver complex, multi-site hospitality AV systems under challenging construction conditions, including contractor changeovers and programme delays.

Manchester – Mollies Motel