BT shrinks New Bailey requirement 

The telecommunications giant is scaling back its proposed letting at English Cities Fund’s Salford mixed-use scheme, with a revised application for a 10-storey block lodged with the council. 

BT was tipped to lease the whole of ECF’s speculative 293,000 sq ft Four New Bailey, which is awaiting planning consent from Salford City Council and would form the next stage of development at New Bailey.

However, BT is understood to have reduced its requirement, prompting developer consortium ECF to seek permission for a 10-storey building, rather than 12 storeys as originally planned. Under the amended proposals, the building would shrink by more than 57,000 sq ft to 235,700 sq ft.

The first application for the office block was submitted to Salford City Council in July. Under the amended application, the 6,000 sq ft ground floor retail provision remains unchanged. The leasing deal with BT is, however, still being finalised and is expected to complete next month.  

Four New Bailey is to occupy Plot B7 between New Bailey Street, the River Irwell and the completed 125,000 sq ft One New Bailey. The latest building is designed by Make Architects, which is also the architect for Three New Bailey, and DPP is the planning consultant. 

The English Cities Fund consortium is made up of regeneration developer Muse Developments, government agency Homes England and fund manager Legal & General.  

JLL and Cushman & Wakefield are the joint letting agents for New Bailey. Cundall, Re-form Landscape Architects, transport consultant WSP and cost consultant RPS, and M&E consultant Hannan Associates, are also on the professional team. 

Both BT and Muse declined to comment.

Last September, Place North West revealed that BT had chosen New Bailey for its 200,000 sq ft office ahead of Ask Developments’ First Street and Bruntwood’s Circle Square.