Manchester-based exhibition organiser, Moorfield Media, has announced plans to launch an art fair at Urbis – Manchester’s exhibition centre which has four floors of evolving displays, dedicated to the modern and future city – where art buyers can snap up original pieces of art to suit any budget.

The Buy Art Fair has been designed to meet the growing demand for art ownership in the region and will showcase hundreds of artists from some of the North West’s most respected galleries. According to latest research, 4.9 million people in England have purchased original visual art. A further 5.9 million people aspire to buy original art. The market is worth an estimated £354.5 million.

Vaughan Allen, chief executive at Urbis, said: “The market for original art is thriving in the North West and there is potential to more than double the number of art sales in the region. Recent market reports show that art appreciation is clearly on the increase and original art is rapidly gaining wide recognition as a credible option for investment. "

The Buy Art Fair will take place from 9-12 October 2008 and is a joint venture between Moorfield Media and Urbis. Around 7,000 art buyers are expected to attend the event, which will take place over four floors at Urbis. Included within the event programme will be live artist seminars, talks, auctions and children’s activities.