If you’re starting or expanding a creative business in the UK, it’s certainly worth exploring office space in Manchester.

From exciting new startups to global giants, the city is home to over 10,000 creative and technology businesses. This digital ecosystem alone is worth £5 billion and growing. And, with an industry-specific workforce of 86,000, the city is a booming hub for all sorts of creative businesses.

Manchester offers a thriving business, creative, and social landscape - and all at a lower cost of living than London. It’s therefore no wonder that many creative and tech companies are considering startup office space in Manchester.

Manchester office space is an attractive option for creative agencies, and not just for the lower costs here. From attracting top talent to networking opportunities, this article will explore the advantages of placing your creative business in Manchester.

Exploring Manchester’s creative landscape

Home to global superstars like Oasis and The Smiths, Manchester is a fabulous destination for live music. This - along with two world-famous sports teams - makes it a fantastic city for hosting events and entertaining clients.

Manchester also has a prolific film and television industry. Salford’s Media City provides a base for both BBC and ITV. With tax rebates and skilled local crew available, many international productions film in Manchester.

The city is also the UK’s number one tech hub outside of London as well as a popular fashion destination. Many successful online fashion brands like Boohoo and Missguided have head offices in Manchester.

Why office space in Manchester is a great choice for a creative agency

With so many exciting industries on the rise, Manchester is the perfect place for a creative agency to thrive. In 2022 alone, Manchester raised $460 million in capital, with much of this due to the tech startups successfully operating here.

Whether you specialise in fashion, or tech, or work with multiple industries, the city’s diverse offerings provide plenty of opportunities.

Growth initiatives

Manchester is brimming with fantastic initiatives and grants for creative businesses. There are also many networks that support local businesses.

Greater Manchester’s Culture Fund recently awarded £13 million to arts, culture, and creative organisations. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is also investing millions in businesses outside of London. Having a business address in Manchester could give you access to these grants and other growth initiatives.

Up-and-coming talent

Office space in Manchester city centre puts you close to five universities and over 100,000 students.

There are also another 25 universities within one hour of the city. With access to 40,000 annual graduates from Manchester alone, you can snap up top talent as they enter the job market.

Collaborate with the best in the business

Never underestimate the power of networking and collaborating with the best of the best in your industry. By finding an office space to rent in Manchester you can capitalise on the city’s business clusters.

A Manchester office in the city’s Northern Quarter places you among the vibrant bar, restaurant, and music scene. You’ll be close to fashion designers and clothing wholesalers as well as art studios and creative event spaces. You’ll also benefit from the plethora of venues close by for entertaining clients.

Spinningfields is another popular business hub in Manchester city centre. It’s a particularly fantastic area for businesses in the Finance and Professional Services Sector. It’s also brimming with startups and established players in the FinTech space.

Meanwhile, office space in South Manchester puts you close to businesses from many different sectors. There are also several organisations like South Manchester Business Association supporting local businesses.

Proximity to Media City

Media City has its own thriving ecosystem of tech, media, and creative businesses. Big names like the BBC, ITV, and Kellogg’s operate from this high-tech business park. However, it’s also home to 250 smaller media and digital businesses.

Located in Salford Quays, Media City is just 30 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly station. Agencies with a Manchester office will benefit from easy access to Media City’s exciting residents and facilities.

Transport options

Creative agencies can find plenty of clients and collaborators in Manchester. However, the city is also well-connected to other hubs in the UK and Europe.

London is less than a 2.5-hour train journey from Manchester. Other northern cities like Liverpool, Leeds, and Sheffield are all less than an hour away by train. Edinburgh and Cardiff are both reachable by train in around 3.5 hours. Meanwhile, Dublin is a short 55-minute flight away.

Manchester Airport connects to over 200 destinations. This includes cities in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Agencies collaborating with international businesses could benefit from office space at Manchester Airport, or at least close by.

Office spaces in Manchester for creative agencies

Manchester has many fantastic workspaces and business centres. But it’s important to choose the right one for your business and budget.

Small businesses on a tight budget might benefit from coworking spaces or serviced office space on a month-to-month basis. Other agencies may prefer private offices in premium locations close to clients and competitors.

For startups seeking low costs, a virtual office address could be beneficial. With Manchester virtual offices, you can maintain a professional business address at a fraction of the cost.

Then, when you need a physical office to collaborate or meet with clients, you can hire meeting rooms or serviced offices. These solutions are usually available by the hour, day, week, or month.

Regus has flexible office options to suit every business size and type. So, with that in mind, let’s explore some of the current office spaces for rent in Manchester.

Peter House

Situated on Oxford Street, Peter House is a prime office location in Manchester. The city’s innovation and academic quarters are close by. This makes the office ideal for vibrant agencies who want to attract fresh and forward-thinking talent.

Highlights include:

• Bicycle storage
• Disabled facilities
• On-site sandwich/coffee bar
• Secure underground car parking
• On-site showers

 

Information about Peter House

• Location: Oxford Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5AN
• Starting cost: Private offices from £219 per person per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: St Peter’s Square Tram Stop (a two-minute walk away), Oxford Road Train Station (a five-minute walk away)

 

St James Tower

St James Tower is another central office space in Manchester. It’s the perfect place for creative employees who enjoy a work-hard play-hard lifestyle. Chinatown’s fantastic eateries and the Gay Village’s vibrant bars are on the office’s doorstep.

With plenty of break-out areas for brainstorming, this affordable office is ideal for small agencies that think big. And, only a short walk from both the Northern Quarter and Spinningfields, it’s fantastic for growing businesses looking to network.

Highlights include:

• 24-hour CCTV monitoring
• Meeting rooms
• Breakout areas
• Coworking spaces
• Private offices
  
  

Information about St James Tower

• Location: 7 Charlotte Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 4DZ
• Starting cost: Private offices from £165 per person per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: Piccadilly Gardens Tram Stop (a four-minute walk away), Manchester Piccadilly Train Station (a 10-minute walk away),

 

125 Deansgate

125 Deansgate offers twelve floors of office space in the heart of the city centre.

Surrounded by boutique shops and trendy cocktail bars, it’s the place to be. A stone’s throw away from Spinningfields, it’s an ideal office space for agencies specialising in Finance and FinTech.

From private offices to collaborative break-out areas, the workspaces encourage productivity and creativity. Flooded with natural light and surrounded by urban architecture, it’s a great spot for creative agencies of all sizes.

Highlights include:

• On-site parking
• Bicycle storage
• On-site showers
• Locker facilities

 

Information about 125 Deansgate

• Location: 125 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BY
• Starting cost: Private offices from £259 per person per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: St Peter’s Square Tram Stop (a six-minute walk away), Salford Central Train Station (a nine-minute walk away)

 

Spinningfields

If you’re looking for an impressive and accessible office in the heart of the action, Spinningfields is worth exploring. Complete with column-free layouts and outdoor seating areas, it’s great for creative collaboration.

Surrounded by bars, shops, and trendy restaurants, this office is perfect for agencies who want to network. It’s also a great location for companies that value work-life balance.

Highlights include:

• Bicycle storage
• Disabled facilities
• Outside seating area/terrace
• Secure underground parking
• On-site showers

 

Information about Spinningfields

• Location: 3 Hardman Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3HF
• Starting cost: Private offices from £259 per person per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: Salford Central Train Station (a seven-minute walk away), St Peter’s Square Tram Stop (a seven-minute walk away)

 

6 Oldham Road

Right in the heart of Manchester’s Ancoats district, 6 Oldham Road is perfect for creative businesses on a budget. Historically known as “the world’s first industrial suburb”, Ancoats is now surrounded by arts and culture.

It’s also home to some fantastic dinner and drinks spots, offering a great location for unwinding after work.

Highlights include:

• Bicycle storage
• Business lounge
• On-site parking
• On-site showers

 

Information about 6 Oldham Road

• Location: 6 Oldham Road, Manchester, M4 5BD
• Starting cost: Office membership from £205 per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: Shudehill Tram Stop and Bus Station (an eight-minute walk away), Manchester Victoria Train Station (a 12-minute walk away),

 

Trafford Park

Trafford Park is a short ten-minute drive from the city centre. This makes it perfect for agencies who want to be Manchester-adjacent but at a lower price point.

This office provides plenty of natural light and breakout areas for creative brainstorming. Football fans will also love to hear that Manchester United’s famous football ground is only two miles away.

Highlights include:

• Floor-to-ceiling windows
• Surrounded by green spaces
• Elevator
• Meeting rooms
• Breakout areas

 

Information about Trafford Park

• Location: Centenary Way, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M50 1RF
• Starting cost: Private offices from £145 per person per month
• Opening hours: 24-hour access for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members
• Membership access is available during reception hours
• Nearby stations: Ladywell Tram Stop (a 12-minute walk away), Eccles Train Station (a 15-minute walk away)

 

Find your ideal office space in Manchester with Regus

Manchester is brimming with character, culture, and exciting new businesses. This makes it a fantastic location for those in the creative and digital industries.

Whether you want proximity to FinTech clients or a trendy business address near fashion boutiques and cocktail bars, we can help you to find a flexible office space that works for you.

Search online to find your ideal location and price. Or, for help finding fantastic workspaces in Manchester, talk to a Regus expert today.