One Angel Square used 2,000 local workers
THE construction of One Angel Square, The Co-operative Group’s flagship headquarters building, used the services of 100 businesses from the city and 2,000 workers.
The figures are detailed in a report setting out the building’s credentials in terms of its impact on the surrounding community.
More than 900 workers gained basic skills on site, and it created 29 work placements and 32 apprenticeships.
The 330,000 sq ft office building is the first phase of NOMA, the £800m scheme to redevelop 20 acres of the northern part of Manchester city centre.
During the two year building phase The Co-op and Bam Construction chose to support Lifeshare, the homelessness charity, which supports young people who live on the streets, based near the new Manchester landmark.
As well as receiving donations totalling £115,000, Lifeshare’s offices were refurbished and staff from both organisations gave time to support various initiatives organised by the charity.
Amanda Jones, head of business change and transformation, said: “We wanted to leave a legacy for skills, employment and neighbourliness so that we could benefit those that live around us and that Manchester would look on the building and not just see an anonymous skyscraper.
“I believe we have set a new standard by setting tough and challenging community targets for a project of this nature and then reporting in an open and honest way the progress made. I hope this report demonstrates our commitment to make a difference and others will be inspired to make a genuine connection between business and the community.”
The Manchester division of 3DReid designed the building which was was acquired from the Co-op by RREEF Real Estate, the property arm of Deutsche Bank’s asset and wealth management division, and an unnamed “foreign institutional investor” for £142m in February.
