Ingall launches Enterprise City with “global brand” intention
Allied London chief executive Mike Ingall launched the commercial-led element of Manchester’s St John’s district in typically positive fashion at yesterday’s launch festival, stating the firm’s intention to make Enterprise City UK a global brand within two years.
Ingall said: “Manchester has a successful digital cluster. In other places, such as London’s Old Street roundabout, we’ve seen public bodies try to harness the sector – my theory is that’s not really needed. The private sector will grow what it needs. This will be a technology-led business ecosystem – we want to create the first boundaryless city.”
Genuine support will be given to start-ups with real potential, he said: “We don’t see Enterprise City UK as a property development – we’re trying to be entrepreneurial providers of infrastructure. To the companies that will be invited here, we won’t sell you out, we won’t harangue you for rents, rates and service charges.”
Key elements of the area include the four-block Manchester Goods Yard; No. 1 Grape Street, which will be a 26-storey mixed-use tower; Old Granada Studios and the Bonded Warehouse, which will be the first development to get underway this autumn.
There will be three levels of workspace within the mixed-use South Village, while Campfield at the zone’s eastern edge will have a cultural focus. Typical commercial floorplates in the Ziggurat tower, which will also house the Nadler hotel, will be 20,000 sq ft.
There are currently around 50,000 people employed in digital industries in Manchester, a number Ingall said could be doubled, with 10,000 positions created within Enterprise City igniting other projects.
He said: “We’ve already done this in financial and professional services, where Spinningfields was a catalyst – without Spinningfields, Bank of New York wouldn’t have come to Manchester, Freshfields wouldn’t have gone to New Bailey.”
Sorry, but the Bank of New York decided on opening at No1 Piccadilly Gardens and NOT Spinningfields. Freshfields also discounted Spinningfields.
By Will
Was thinking exactly that Will – strange example to use when factually completely incorrect. BoNY Melon don’t even have their space in Spinners, which I think was only overspill back office space, any longer do they? Sure I read they moved everything to Pic gardens a year or so ago, or were certainly planning to.
Also seems a strange concept that Freshfields were attracting to Spinningfields but took space the other side of the River… surely if they were that attracted to it they’d have based themselves in it rather than looking across the Irwell at some flats backing onto the edge of it? (EDIT – just read your note that that’s also untrue – which makes a lot more sense).
Just goes to show you shouldn’t believe everything you read!
By Banker
I don’t think Ingall is saying BNY came to Spinningfields, but he’s taking credit for creating Spinningfields and putting Manchester on the map for big name occupiers. Whether that can be attributed to the success of Spinn however…
By Hmmm
I think the point is that without Spinningfields would Boney M and Freshfields have come to Manchester at all?
By Sir Howard Deloitte
Without Spinningfield’s being what it is FF wouldn’t have gone to 1 New Bailey – it’s the proximity to Spinningfields that’s drawn them in and it’s probably cheaper rents which makes sense.
BoNY were based in Spinningfields originally.
By Anon
“we won’t harangue you for rent rates and service charge” … great free space… sign me up. Or will his investors and the Council rates department have other ideas?
By ehh
The Ivy is opening in Spinningfields. Don’t get too excited everyone.It isn’t a Sister to the one in Central London,but more like the ones you get in better off London suburbs.Bristol had one first anyway.
By Elephant
we will not harangue you for rent or service charge!!! How refreshing for those who are ‘invited’ to take a lease….
By Bemused
Were Deloitte / KPMG / PwC / Ernst and Young and other prof services firms such as Pannone not in Manchester before Spinningfields opened?
By Just asking
Corporares choose a location based on a number of factors, quality of staff, convenience, cost etc. The actual building is irrelevant as to why they are considering relocating.
By Mike