Rugby League moves into Manchester HQ

Morgan Sindall Construction has wrapped up work on the office, located within the National Squash Centre on the Manchester Etihad Campus.

Knight Frank and Blacks Solicitors advised Rugby Football League on the 7,250 sq ft space, which the sports organisation is leasing from Manchester City Council.

News that RFL would set up a Manchester headquarters was announced four years ago. Plans for the facility were submitted in April last year, with planning permission granted in May that same year. Construction commenced this February.

Designed by AHR Architects, the offices have been refurbished to meet RFL’s needs.  The work included creating a separate, dedicated entrance for RFL and making adjustments to reduce the amount of energy the site uses.

The new office brings together staff from RFL’s old 13,500 sq ft headquarters at Red Hall in Leeds, as well as the organisation’s 4,000 sq ft Quay West location in MediaCity.

Around 100 staff will operate out of the space, which is the home of Rugby Football League, Super League Europe, and RL Commercial.

“Bringing all of the staff of the SLE and the RFL under one roof was a big moment for us,” said Ralph Rimmer, chief executive of RFL.

He also commented on the headquarters’ new location.

“The Etihad Campus is home to world-class sport and world-class facilities, and now Rugby League is part of this major national and international sporting ecosystem here in the north of England,” Rimmer said.

“And the Etihad Campus is about more than just elite sport. Inclusivity and sustainability are built into its DNA, and moving here underlines our desire for Rugby League to be a sport that future generations want to take part in and that everyone has the chance to enjoy.”

Morgan Sindall’s Greater Manchester area director, Shaun Jones, echoed Rimmer’s words.

“The RFL’s arrival in east Manchester is a proud moment for all of us who have worked on this project,” Jones said. “This is the latest stage of Manchester City Council’s inspiring work to make east Manchester a sporting powerhouse, and it’s been a pleasure for our team to help deliver that vision.”

Manchester City Council was the onsite project manager for the scheme. Turner & Townsend was the cost consultant. BDP provided MEP, acoustics and BREEAM consultancy services. Cundall was the civil and structural engineer. Jeremy Gardiner Associates was the fire engineer.

RFL has big plans for the Etihad Campus. In January, the league submitted plans for a sports skills and social mobility hub on the site. The hub would have classrooms, a media room and a 900-capacity stand. It would also act as a training facility.