The Manchester Screen at Victoria Warehouse in Salford Quays has undergone a major transformation, emerging as the largest combined digital and static banner billboard in the UK. This redevelopment elevates the site into a flagship destination for brands that want to own the skyline and make a bold statement in one of Greater Manchester’s busiest entry points.
For mid-level and fast-growing brands, the upgraded Manchester Screen offers scale and audience access that can elevate awareness rapidly in a region driven by commuter, cultural and event-based traffic.
Massive Scale Meets Strategic Location
The Manchester Screen has been rebuilt to create a spectacular advertising canvas that stands out across the UK OOH landscape. The site blends premium scale with strategic positioning, giving brands an opportunity to command attention in one of the busiest urban gateways in the North West. Its upgraded dual-format layout gives advertisers the flexibility to run bold visual campaigns that cut through heavy footfall, commuter traffic and event crowds moving between Manchester and Salford Quays.
Format Overview
- The digital out of home screen covers 306 m², which has already been claimed as the second-largest digital outdoor billboard in Europe.
- An 834 m² static vinyl banner is now paired with the digital element.
- Together, the full surface spans 1,140 m² of uninterrupted display, creating a standout visual landmark for brand domination.
- The hybrid layout allows brands to blend motion content with powerful static creative for maximum visibility.
Impressions and Traffic Reach
- The site captures over 21.6 million annual impressions, offering consistent visibility across the year.
- Located between Manchester City Centre, MediaCity and major event venues, it offers high exposure to commuter, tourist and event-driven audiences.
- Its placement along a key route through the North West positions it as a prime choice for brands seeking to build presence in a high-density environment.
A Powerhouse Platform Built for Big Brand Moments
The Manchester Screen gives advertisers the chance to work with a scale that elevates brand storytelling. The expansive canvas supports bold creatives that stand out instantly and hold attention in a high-traffic environment. Its structure lends itself to campaigns built around strong visual identity, allowing brands to showcase striking imagery, sharp messaging and dynamic concepts.
Format Versatility
The refreshed hybrid layout gives advertisers creative freedom:
- The digital screen delivers motion, video and dynamic messaging that captures immediate attention.
- The static banner offers long-dwell visual dominance and space for large-format branding that reinforces recall.
This blend of digital and static formats allows a campaign to live across multiple creative expressions at once. The visual scale helps to strengthen brand memory and deliver a more immersive presence than traditional single-format billboards.
Strategic Timing and Branding Relevance
The relaunch of the Manchester Screen aligns with increasing demand for standout OOH advertising sites outside London. Manchester continues to grow as a commercial and cultural hub, with rising footfall from commuters, visitors and event audiences. Brands tapping into the northern market gain immediate visibility in a region with strong spending power and a rapidly evolving retail and entertainment landscape.
For advertisers looking to expand reach across the North West, this site provides a well-timed opportunity to take advantage of a major new landmark in UK outdoor media.
JD Sports Leads the First Major Takeover
JD Sports has become the first brand to activate on the newly enhanced Manchester Screen, setting a strong benchmark for the scale and creativity the site can support. The campaign delivered a full takeover across the entire 1,140 m² combined canvas, using both the digital screen and the expansive static wrap for maximum visibility.
Standout Elements of the Activation
- A complete site-wide creative execution using every inch of the hybrid display.
- Strategic alignment with JD’s annual retail conference at Victoria Warehouse, reinforcing relevance and audience connection.
- A striking installation that featured a giant replica of JD’s signature yellow bag suspended above the venue, creating a bold visual anchor visible from key approach routes.
This launch showcased how the Manchester Screen can support immersive campaigns that blend brand theatre with large-scale visual dominance. It also demonstrates the site’s flexibility for rapid turnarounds and high-impact takeovers.
What This Means for Advertisers
The first campaign reinforces the site’s ability to deliver:
- Rapid activation for major brand takeovers.
- Integrated storytelling across digital motion and static creative.
- High visibility for brands that want to connect with Manchester audiences and event-driven footfall.
- Strong brand cut-through when supported by experiential elements or contextual relevance.
The location has also attracted well-established names such as O2, Paddy Power and Calvin Klein, each using the space to amplify campaigns within a high-footfall environment. The upgraded format now gives future advertisers an even larger and more dynamic canvas to work with.
How Mid-Level Brands can Capitalise
The Manchester Screen gives growing brands the chance to shine in a premium space alongside national advertisers. With the right approach, mid-level brands can use the site to elevate visibility, strengthen recall and deliver campaigns that feel confident and culturally relevant.
Aligning Your Campaign
Keep the message clear
Use the scale to your advantage with bold visuals and concise messaging that lands instantly.
Make the most of both formats
Use motion on the digital screen to capture attention and let the static banner reinforce your core brand assets.
Use contextual relevance
The location near MediaCity, major venues and commuter routes helps connect your message with audiences travelling for work, entertainment and events.
Plan for dwell and reach
Motion content attracts quick impressions while large static elements support longer engagement from slow-moving traffic and event crowds.
Create a unified story
Plan how both surfaces can work together. Consider whether on-site elements or installations can provide an extra lift.
Booking and Campaign Tips
Book early
Interest is high following the relaunch, so early reservations help secure optimal timings.
Understand the specs
Discuss digital playback requirements, colour handling and banner production details to ensure your creative is displayed at its best.
Invest in strong creative
Large-format OOH rewards high-quality design. Prioritise striking imagery and clean layouts to maximise impact.
Why the Manchester Screen fits into your OOH mix
For brands aiming to grow their footprint across the UK, the Manchester Screen offers a powerful opportunity to build visibility in a market with strong commercial momentum. Its scale and placement make it an anchor site that enhances any OOH strategy and supports campaigns designed to reach large, diverse urban audiences.
Key advantages for brands
- A city-scale presence at accessible investment levels
- A standout format within the UK OOH landscape
- Space to deliver high-impact campaigns across both motion and static media.
- A strategic gateway into Manchester’s expanding advertising market with strong commuter, event and urban audiences
Your Next Step
If your brand is ready to grow its presence through out of home advertising, the Manchester Screen offers a rare blend of scale and visibility in a thriving northern market. At OOH International, we help ambitious brands secure premium sites and deliver campaigns that make a lasting impression.
To discuss availability, creative opportunities or upcoming campaign plans, get in touch with our team today.
FAQs
What size is the Manchester Screen?
The site spans approximately 1,140 m² of advertising space, comprising a 306 m² digital screen plus an 834 m² static vinyl banner.
Where is the site located?
The OOH site wraps around Victoria Warehouse in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester: positioned on a key traffic route between Manchester City Centre and MediaCity.
Who is the first brand to activate on the revamped site?
JD Sports is the first advertiser to launch a full-takeover campaign on the expanded format of the Manchester Screen.
What formats can the site support?
The Manchester Screen supports a hybrid format: dynamic digital content on the 306 m² LED screen and expansive static visuals across the 834 m² banner, allowing for integrated campaigns. Why should mid-level brands consider this site?
The site provides a powerful mix of scale, visibility and audience reach, delivering over 21 million annual impressions and giving mid-level brands a premium opportunity to elevate their presence across the North of England.