UKFast snaps up 1 Archway for latest data centre
WEB hosting group UKFast has spent £3.2m on the strategic acquisition of 1 Archway just outside Manchester, which it says will be the home of the city’s biggest data centre.
The 50,000 sq ft building on a two-acre site is opposite Asda in Hulme at the Technopark which is part of Manchester Science Park which has sold the site.
UKFast says the deal will enables it to expand its cloud service and improve connectivity for Manchester’s online businesses.
Founder and chief executive Lawrence Jones said the expansion is part of a £20m growth plan, and the building would initially be home to a 2.5 MVA data centre – which will eventually be increased to 8 MVA.
He said: “It’s a strategic acquisition that immediately enables us to expand our network. Every major bandwidth supplier crosses our land.
“This is great news for Manchester and for UKFast. This building strategically dissects Manchester in two ways. It’s on the main road into the city and at a crucial spot on its connectivity network. It’s a massive step forward in making Manchester’s internet presence stronger.”
Plans are being drawn up for Manchester’s largest data centre to be built on the plot which neighbours rival Telecity’s IFL acquisition.
UKFast plans to expand into office space at the building as staff numbers grow, but it will retain its headquarters at City Tower. The £16m turnover business has around 200 staff and wants to double that figure over the next 18 months. Eventually the Technopark building will be kitted out with a crèche, a gym, a health spa and a cinema.
Jones continues “We plan to convert part of the ground floor into a 2.5 MVA data centre straight away with dedicated connectivity to all providers in the UK, helping improve connectivity around Manchester and connections to London. In the longer term we’ll develop the whole of the three floors into 8MVA.”
“The project represents a £20m investment over the next three to five years. It’s allowing us to secure our future and at the same time provides us with the flexibility that we need at this stage in our massive growth plans.
“If we sell our existing data centre space in Trafford quicker than expected we can move the project forward.”
Mr Jones worked closely on the deal with Chris Oglesby, chief executive of property firm Bruntwood which acquired a controlling interest in Manchester Science Parks in 2012.
