It’s been a busy week at Canning O’Neill HQ. News has broken confirming The Home Office and TalkTalk have taken lettings at Salford Quays’ iconic development, Soapworks. Between them they will occupy 160,000 sq ft . TalkTalk have agreed to take 106,000 sq ft on a 15 year lease which is the largest office deal in 2015 in Greater Manchester and the second largest office deal in Salford Quays since the BBC relocated to MediaCity:UK in 2007. This is great news for Greater Manchester, Salford Quays and Soapworks, putting all three well and truly on the map!
TalkTalk are of course no stranger to Soapworks, having taken 20,000 sq ft on a 10 year lease in October 2014 for a training and conference facility.
A further 54,000 sq ft of office space has been agreed with The Home Office who will be relocated services from a number of separate operations around the Greater Manchester are including Manchester Airport, all under one roof. The Home Office will be taking occupation in June 2016.
Ben Du Boulay, director of The Carlyle Group said: “When we commenced the redevelopment of the former Colgate factory in Salford, we were confident that there was a strong latent demand from regional occupiers across both the public and private sectors for high quality office space, particularly if it was located in such an iconic an historical building as Soapworks. Both lettings are a significant endorsement of that belief. Our offering of flexible, convenient and uniquely located office space is attracting interest from the highest calibre of business and we are looking forward to a long and successful relationship with the newest addition to our community. Soapworks is the largest wholly speculative office development outside London, presenting a viable alternative to city centre office space that addresses the on-going shortage of commercial options in the region.”
Nigel Sullivan, group HR director at TalkTalk said: “The offices in Soapworks will be fantastic for TalkTalk. s a technology company, its important that our working environment reflects our digital first culture. Its exciting to be moving to a building that offers best in class facilities and will be a great investment in Manchester”.
Phase One and Two at Soapworks totals 230,000 sq ft, there is just 50,000 sq ft now remaining which has strong interest. Phase Three will total c.160,000 sq ft. For more details on Soapworks or offices to let Salford Quays, contact Mark Canning or the team at Canning O’Neill on 0161 244 5500.
