Charity to relocate

Jisc provide digital services to the UK education sector and will be consolidating its Manchester presence by relocating to the city’s university district.

The charity has signed for 11, 216 sq ft on the 6th floor of Churchgate House on Oxford Street and upon completion of refurbishment works will relocate from two buildings at the University of Manchester. Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) acted for Jisc while CBRE and OBI represented the landlord, Helical Bar.

The organisation’s role is to support post-16, higher education and research by providing leadership in the use of ICT in learning, teaching, research and administration.

Adam Jackson, Associate Director at LSH, said: “Due to Jisc’s work within the education sector it was important that its new accommodation was within the Oxford Road corridor, near the university, with good connectivity and facilities for staff who cycle to work.

“As well as offering the required single, open-plan floorplate, Churgate House has recently benefited from an upgraded reception with a new coffee hub and business lounge which will provide Jisc’s staff and visitors a unique sense of arrival.”

Developments to boost supply

According to Adam there is now an increasing shortage of quality refurbished floorplates in excess of 10,000 sq ft in the city centre.  He said: “The supply of high quality stock will be boosted by ongoing development in the nearby St Peter’s Square area but there is undoubtedly a scarcity of good quality refurbished stock at the mid-teens rent level.”

Kirsty Littleford, Associate Director of Office Agency at CBRE’s Manchester office, added:
“Since the refurbishment of Churchgate, existing occupiers Countrywide and Economic Solutions committed to the building for 7 and 10 years respectively and most recently Co-operative Travel Management took a 10 year lease on a 10,000 sq ft suite. This flurry of lettings signifies the building’s strong appeal and we are confident of more deals to follow.”