Photograph of the 2ZY Radio Station broadcasting room and equipment within the MetroVicks research building

Photograph showing the interior of the 2ZY Radio Station, 1922-23.

2Zy was the name of Manchester’s first radio station. It was created by Metropolitan Vickers, a key Manchester engineering company and member of the early BBC consortium. Metropolitan Vickers converted a few rooms in their research department at Trafford Park to be their studio and equipment room. They laid down felt carpets and hung draping curtains around the room to reduce unwanted background sounds.

After only a year of broadcasting from Trafford Park, 2ZY moved its operation to Dickinson Street in Manchester city centre. This was to make travelling to the station easier for performers and presenters and to have more suitable broadcasting conditions than a converted office room.