Future uncertain for Digital World Centre tenants
LIQUIDATORS have been appointed to a major part of United Business Centres (UBC), the company that runs serviced offices at Salford Quays’ Digital World Centre.
James Martin and John Kelly, partners at the Birmingham office of Begbies Traynor have been named as joint liquidators of United Business Centres Ltd and United Business Centres (Management) Ltd.
Another part of the company, United Business Centres (Midlands), which operates 10 sites in locations across the country, including Oldham, Warrington and Liverpool, continues to trade.
According to company literature the business is owned by Philip Grace and the joint owners of Isle of Man-based Charterhouse Venture Capital, Jamie Jackson and Richard Daly.
It is based at Salford Quays where its serviced offices take up around half the Digital World Centre which is close to The Lowry arts centre and MediaCity – the BBC’s new home from next year.
Mr Martin said landlords of UBC buildings were seeking new agreements with third parties which would allow some sites to remain open.
But no deal has been reached for the Digital World Centre. “The sites that are affected are Gatwick, Manchester [Salford Quays], Crownhill (Milton Keynes) and possibly Stansted, subject to what arrangements by landlords have been made,” he said. “As regards the Manchester property, inquiries have already been directed to the landlord’s site agent.”
In September law firm Ralli took an office for its media team at the Digital World Centre to capitalise on opportunities created by MediaCity. Partner Keith Arrowsmith, head of intellectual property and media, said the potential loss of the offices meant there would be little space for small firms close to MediaCity.
“It’s impossible for a small media company to operate from somewhere near to MediaCity at the moment,” he said.
Mr Arrowsmith pointed out that alternatives are around a mile away at Exchange Quay and the Peel Media’s Pie Factory at MediaCity is fully let. Peel has submitted plans to convert a three-storey building into office space for smaller firms but this will not be available for some time.
