RAC Agrees Major MediaCity Deal

| Helen Hallsworth

Breakdown service and insurance giant the RAC has committed to relocating 300 employees to a site in MediaCity, in one of the largest letting deals in the North West this year.

In one of the largest letting deals in Greater Manchester this year, the RAC is taking 23,000 sq ft space within Peel L&P’s The Vic, bringing its Manchester call centre facility, currently based in Stretford, to the entire second floor and part of the first floor of the building.

The Vic underwent a significant refurbishment three years ago and has been third party verified Net Zero carbon.

The signing coincides with videogames developer and publisher Team17 Digital committing to a further five years within the 6,000 sq ft ground floor space in The Vic, while The Department of Work and Pensions has signed a ten-year deal for a 9,000 sq ft office space within Peel L&P’s neighbouring Alex building.

Dave Hobday, RAC chief executive, said: “We’re very excited by our move to Salford Quays and MediaCity as it demonstrates our continued long-term investment in the RAC, our colleagues and Manchester.

“The Vic’s best-in-class sustainability and well-being credentials offer colleagues a better working environment, first-class facilities and an all-round greater experience in a modern and vibrant city setting.

“RAC colleagues will also be able to benefit from excellent transport links, parking, a host of shops on the doorstep, and plenty of eateries and bars for after-work socialising.”

Simon Lovegrove, senior asset manager for Peel L&P, added: “We’ve seen a real flurry of activity in recent months with almost 40,000 sq ft of lets in total across The Vic and Alex buildings which are experiencing a real renaissance in popularity. Occupiers are attracted by the buildings’ highly sustainable credentials, attractive waterfront setting and the vibrant MediaCity community with all of its amenities.”

CBRE acted on behalf of RAC, Cushman and Wakefield acted for The Department of Work and Pensions and Canning O’Neill acted on behalf of Peel L&P at MediaCity.