Two deals at Sharp Project
Publicly-backed media business centre, The Sharp Project in east Manchester, has signed up the first tenants to a refurbished office block within the 200,000 sq ft site.
Fledgling businesses SUNDE Technologies and Peddlers Cross Creative have taken two suites at the 15,000 sq ft two-storey office wing. Units range from 200 sq ft to 4,000 sq ft. The Sharp Project could not confirm immediately which units the pair had leased.
The 200,000 sq ft digital content complex is due to be completed early next year. The two deals take the total number of tenants now located at the east Manchester site to 24.
Sue Woodward, director of the Sharp Project, said: "This office accommodation complements our shipping containers and adds to the range of environments we can offer our tenants.
"What's emerging is a community for digital production specialists. Tenants like SUNDE, who offer affordable technology services, play a vital part in supporting the other companies and our vision is for all our businesses to flourish under one roof."
The Sharp Project is a not-for-profit initiative led by urban regeneration company, New East Manchester, on behalf of site owners Manchester City Council.
Bashi Ali of SUNDE Technologies said: "We're really pleased to be part of the Sharp Project. There's real synergy here as we're both about accessing affordable computing technology. We offer Ultra-thin clients that allow you to share untapped resources from one host PC amongst 40 users. Our prime focus is reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), IT cost reductions, meeting CRC directives and realising our dream of green computing for everyone. We are growing to become one of the most competitive providers of ultra-thin client products with plans to become a market leader."
The former Sharp warehouse is currently undergoing a £16.5m refurbishment funded by Manchester City Council, the North West Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund. Phase 1 was completed in April. The building is located on Thorp Road, off Oldham Road and next to Central Park's Gateway transport interchange, which includes a Metrolink station, due to open in spring 2011.
