Chancellor George Osborne is to announce a major new tech cluster in Manchester’s “Knowledge Corridor” in the Autumn Statement next week.
In a boost to the North West’s credentials as a research and development centre, an international group of technology firms led by a North American company has earmarked the BBC’s former HQ on Oxford Road for a research hub of a minimum of 250,000 sq ft.
Developer Bruntwood – which is already building out swathes of the corridor in partnership with local universities – is in advanced negotiations to lead the project on Oxford Road.
The BBC site is owned by Yousef Tishbi’s Realty Estates and is currently on the market for around £30m.
Realty’s 5.4 acre site has been cleared to make way for a 1.5m sq ft masterplan, allowing for a potential expansion of the cluster.
Manchester city council, inward investment agency Midas, Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan have worked together to attract the requirement for the cluster to the city.
It is among the largest active requirements in Manchester since RBS’s 2004 deal to occupy 500,000 sq ft at 1 Spinningfields Square.
Other sites also expected to be considered for the requirement include Network Rail’s and the city council’s 500,000 sq ft development opportunity on Oxford Road, which is also currently on the market.
