Manchester G Mex Centre Taken outside the Manchester G Mex Centre in Autumn 2004. The clock says the time is 20 minutes to 11 am. © Copyright chestertouristcom and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. Manchester Central (Formerly known as the GMEX centre and Manchester International Conference Centre (MICC)) is an exhibition and conference centre built in and around the former Manchester Central railway station in Manchester, North West England. The building was granted Grade I listed building status in 1963, but has since been downgraded to Grade II* status[1].The complex started life as Manchester Central railway station, one of the city's main railway terminals. It was built between 1875–80 and closed to passengers on 5 May 1969. The station served as the terminus for Midland Railway express trains to London St Pancras. The station's large arched roof - a huge wrought-iron single-span arched roof, spanning 210 feet (64 m), 550 feet (168 m) long and 90 feet (27 m) high - was a noted piece of railway engineering and is said to be the widest unsupported iron arch in Britain after London St. Pancras.[2] The former train shed now provides a large multi-purpose exhibition space.
