Manchester’s newest theatre is also one of its most inspiring.

Housed in a once semi-derelict Victor-ian mill in a back street in Ancoats, near Piccadilly Station, it is the brainchild of co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton.

Both worked as actors in London, but wanted to create their own theatre and decided it would be in the north.

Having found their unlikely venue they did much of the transformation work themselves, the result being a flexible

space seating up to 120, with a cafe and bar and some parking.

It’s all very friendly and personal, with the two artistic directors very much in evidence.

Hope Mill opened in 2015, specialising in original productions of lesser-known musicals, and has quickly become one of the most acclaimed independent venues in the country. Several shows have transferred to the London fringe, including Yank!, Hair and Aspects of Love, while on the home stage, plays and cabaret have now joined musicals. Both founders were recently named as two of British theatre's top 100 movers and shakers by The Stage.