Are you about to set up a Manchester office? Moving your operations to a new city can take your business in a thrilling new direction. But to be successful, you need to have a firm idea of what your new location has to offer.
Manchester has grown significantly in recent years. It had already earned a reputation as one of the UK’s leading commercial and digital centres, attracting businesses from a wide range of sectors. Recent stats reveal just how desirable the city is for organisations. According to London-based think tank Centre for Cities, Manchester’s economy grew by more than 34% faster than the rest of the country between 2013 and 2023.
If you’re planning on moving to this ever-evolving northern hub, here’s a look at the key factors to consider.
Optimise your physical footprint
Decide early where you’ll base your operations. This is a key decision that will guide employee retention and operational efficiency. The city offers diverse commercial offices, each catering to different corporate styles and working cultures.
When evaluating your commercial layout, working with regional experts in commercial premises will help you find the ideal office space in Manchester that suits you and your team.
Consider commuting habits of your key staff to choose a location that minimises travel times. Selecting a workplace near Piccadilly or Victoria stations ensures your team remains connected to both local tram routes and national rail lines.
Hiring the region’s talent
Manchester has one of the largest student populations in Europe, driven by institutions like the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. This massive influx of yearly graduates creates a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled candidates.
To capitalise on this, audit the local academic calendar six months before your scheduled move. Match up your primary recruitment campaigns with the standard summer graduation cycles to capture top-tier talent before your competitors do.
You must also pinpoint specific locations around the region that match your sector. For instance, establish your talent search around MediaCityUK if you require creative digital specialists, or focus on the innovation district near Oxford Road for advanced data science roles.
Audit tech infrastructure
A seamless relocation depends heavily on minimising operational downtime. While Manchester offers incredible connectivity, you need to audit your digital setup early to prevent costly issues.
Begin by requesting a comprehensive connectivity report from your prospective landlords. This is to verify that the premises feature dedicated Openreach or Virgin Media business fibre lines.
Then instruct your IT department to review how your data is organised. Determine if your data migration requires localised cloud servers or hybrid setups to support your remote and on-site staff from day one. This can ensure uninterrupted communication with your clients during the switchover.
Tap into local business networks
The city’s businesses thrive on collaboration. Establishing early roots in the region will significantly accelerate your market integration.
Connect with organisations like the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce or MIDAS (Manchester’s inward investment agency) ahead of your move. By attending their sector-specific networking events, you gain direct access to trusted local supply chains and potential client introductions.
These bodies also provide invaluable guidance on regional grants designed to incentivise incoming businesses, which can offset your initial setup costs.
Follow a phased transition plan
Avoid the temptation to move everything at once. You’ll need time to give clients a chance to adapt, along with ensuring key staff are ready for the move.
Implement a phased relocation strategy where support operations or specific departments move first. For example, migrate your internal IT support or administrative functions to the new Manchester base while keeping your core client-facing teams at your old headquarters.
This structure allows you to iron out any logistical kinks and ensure continuity of service for your existing business clients throughout the transition.
