When searching for office space to rent in Manchester, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll face is choosing between Cat A, Cat B, or fully fitted space. But what do these terms mean, and what would work best for your business? Here’s what to know.
What is Cat A office space?
Cat A refers to the basic level of finish provided by a landlord. Typically, this includes lighting, suspended ceilings, raised floors, painted walls, and essential services like heating and air conditioning. This space is essentially a blank canvas.
Best suited for:
Businesses that want full control over layout, branding, and design; often those planning a longer-term lease and willing to invest in a bespoke fit-out.
What is Cat A+ office space?
Cat A+ sits between Cat A and fully fitted space. It usually includes some additional features such as meeting rooms, kitchen areas, or partial partitioning, but without furniture. It’s designed to make a space more attractive and quicker to occupy without the cost of a full fit-out.
Best suited for:
Businesses that want a quicker move-in while still retaining some flexibility over final layout and design.
What is Cat B office space?
Cat B refers to a fully fitted workspace, typically designed and installed by the tenant. This can include meeting rooms, breakout areas, kitchens, branding, and furniture. It’s a complete, customised working environment tailored to a business’s exact needs.
Best suited for:
Established businesses with specific operational requirements, strong branding, or a desire to create a long-term headquarters.
What is fully fitted or ‘plug & play’ office space?
Fully fitted (or plug & play) offices are ready to use from day one. These spaces are fitted out by the landlord and usually include furniture, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities, and sometimes even IT infrastructure. They allow businesses to move in with minimal delay.
Best suited for:
Companies that prioritise speed, flexibility, and lower upfront costs, particularly those scaling quickly or adapting to hybrid working.
Key considerations when choosing office space in Manchester
Work out what matters most to your business:
Upfront cost vs long-term investment:
Cat A may have lower rent but higher fit-out costs. Fully fitted space typically reduces initial spend.
Speed to occupy:
Fully fitted spaces can be operational almost immediately, whereas Cat A and Cat B require additional time.
Flexibility vs control:
Cat A and Cat B offer more control over design. Fully fitted spaces prioritise convenience.
Workplace identity and culture:
A bespoke Cat B fit-out can better reflect your brand and support team productivity.
A simple way to decide
- Need to move quickly? – Fully fitted
- Want a tailored, branded environment? – Cat B
- Looking for a balance between speed and cost? – Cat A+
- Planning long-term with full control? – Cat A
Any decision to rent office space should consider cost, but equally important is how your business operates now and how it plans to grow. Taking the time to understand your options can prevent expensive mistakes and ensure your next workspace truly works for you.
