Manchester’s Square Half Mile office district around King Street could be designated one of the UK’s first US-style Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Town Hall leaders are in talks with property industry figures and landlords about reviving the fortunes of the city’s main business district amidst fears that it is losing out to locations in the city fringe and to rivals like Leeds and Liverpool.
A series of meetings has taken place between city council chief executive Howard Bernstein and property industry leaders.
A working group including some of Manchester’s top property figures and council leaders has been established to work on new proposals.
Plans for the city centre office district around Spring Gardens, Fountain Street and King Street include better landscaping, an improved environment and better-designed office buildings.
A more flexible planning policy is also a likely outcome as well as pressure on landowners whose properties are empty or who are refusing to redevelop.
There will also be calls to draw up a city centre plan to help smooth the path for new office development.
A spokesperson for Manchester council said: “Our purpose in engaging landowners and interested parties was to explore how, in the context of continued growth and development of the city centre generally, we should continue to work together to deliver this objective in the future.”
Peter Skelton, director at Lambert Smith Hampton, and one of those credited with pushing hardest for the new city centre initiative, said: “This part of the city is crucial to the Manchester economy.
“It is refreshing that city council wish to consult with all active parties including the property sector, owners and occupiers before reaching conclusions on key issues such as presenting the area and improving the environment, which is key, on traffic, and the usage of buildings.”
BID initiatives have begun to get off the ground in London, with the New West End Company, which is to invest £2m in improving Oxford Street, one of the most high-profile.
EGi News 20/09/02
