GMCA under offer at Churchgate House
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has chosen Churchgate House as the preferred option for its first headquarters, co-locating existing departments and creating offices for the new elected mayor.
According to a report ahead of a GMCA meeting on Friday, Churchgate House on Oxford Street will provide space for 250 staff across 25,000 sq ft, on an eight-year lease at a rent of £16.50/sq ft.
Manchester Growth Company, accountable to the GMCA, is already based within Churchgate House. The new GMCA letting would absorb the Growth Company’s space, plus an additional 15,000 sq ft to create a larger office across the ground, first and second floors.
The report to GMCA requests that £1.9m is granted from the combined authority’s reserves to cover relocation costs, and a recurring £1.1m is provided each year afterwards.
GMCA officers, the police commissioner’s office, and the teams supporting the elected Mayor will be moved into Churchgate, with an option to be joined by further staff associated with healthcare devolution.
The elections for the Greater Manchester elected mayor are due to take place in May 2017. Should the funding and letting be agreed, new staff are expected to have re-located into Churchgate by March.
Churchgate House and sister office Lee House are owned by Helical Bar. The office agents are CBRE and Edwards & Co.
Why does the HQ have to be based in Manchester City Centre? Surely you can achieve better vfm being located outside. Aren’t other GM town centres crying out for an anchor tenant like the CA as a means of triggering further commercial / regen opportunities?
By Anon
The city centre is the most accessible location for all 10 boroughs. I’d have thought that would’ve been obvious.
By A noun
Manchester is far more vibrant, has better transport links, is more attractive to talent and contrary to popular belief also continues to needs decent tenants…
By The Old Faithful
But its supposed to be combined?
By Bob Dawson
Yes its supposed to be combined so do you want a HQ in each borough?
By Anon
1/10th of an HQ in each borough
By zebith
Heaton Hall would have been a better place than this.
By Elephant