BT Group has said it will bring thousands of jobs to Manchester with the announcement of a new "primary home" in the city.
The telecoms giant says the Four New Bailey scheme, close to the Spinningfields business district will become a "key hub" with the capacity for up to 2,000 staff - more than four times the current number based in Manchester.
The company announced the acquisition on Wednesday, and said it will eventually occupy the full building - marking a "major investment" in the city. At 175,000sq ft, it's said to be Greater Manchester's largest regional office deal of the year to date.
BT said it has secured the lease and plans to move employees into New Bailey from late 2023.
It comes as the firm today also announced a new temporary home in Manchester while the new site is prepared for occupation.
The new temporary office at 125 Deansgate will give the leading telecoms and network provider the opportunity to grow its presence in Manchester, ahead of the transition to New Bailey.
Deansgate is now ready for staff who want to work in the office in a safe and socially-distanced manner from this autumn, subject to government and public health advice.
Graeme Paton, BT’s managing director of Property and Facilities Services, said: “Our new buildings will bring our people together in an impressive and modern environment, transforming the way we work.
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“Excitingly, they will become strategic locations for BT in the 海角视频 with a considerable increase in the number of colleagues based in this city. We hope our colleagues will be inspired by the new spaces, which will give them the tools and environment to be able to thrive. Our building at New Bailey will boast panoramic views over the River Irwell and across the city, as well as incorporating outstanding design features including a rooftop garden and exceptional communal spaces.”
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BT said in the coming months, most staff will continue to work from home, but when government and public health guidance confirms it’s safe to return to the workplace, BT said wants to ensure it has "inspiring environments to work in".
The firm said it is proceeding with this multi-million investment in Manchester as it "strongly believes that brilliant office environments, combined with a more flexible approach to home working, will play a vital role in its future".
The announcements are part of BT’s ‘Better Workplace Programme’ – "one of the largest workplace improvement and consolidation schemes of its type ever undertaken in the 海角视频".
Manchester was announced in June 2018 as one of the first locations that will house BT’s workplaces of the future as part of the programme.
The five-year programme will improve and consolidate BT’s footprint of corporate offices, contact centres and specialist sites across the 海角视频.
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Liz Needleman, BT Group regional lead for the North of England, said it was a huge boost for the city.
She said: “Manchester has already been revealed as one of our key cities and I’m excited that we have now identified the development that will provide an impressive, state-of-the-art building for our staff and represents our future vision as a company. I’m really pleased we’re able to make this long-term commitment to Greater Manchester during an incredibly difficult time for our economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our new office spaces and increased presence in the city will make us one of the largest employers in the area.”
Manchester joins other locations already announced by BT including, London, Birmingham, Warrington, Belfast, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cardiff and Ipswich (Adastral Park).
More locations will be announced in due course, the firm said.
Phil Mayall, regional director at The English Cities Fund, said: “This announcement has been many months in the making and we’ve been busy behind the scenes making sure that Four New Bailey will address BT’s needs, while also becoming one of the most visually striking commercial developments in the city.
"It’s a highly competitive market, so we need to make sure we continue to do everything we can to accommodate future occupiers with their changing requirements.
“It’s been an unprecedented year so far that’s been challenging for everyone. However, this letting is testament to the hard work of everyone involved at New Bailey as we drive to increase both growth and prosperity when it’s needed most, through the delivery of innovative developments. It’s a significant mark of confidence in what we’re achieving here at New Bailey and we’re positive for the future as we continue to bring life, diversity and culture into this area of the city.”