Royal Eye Hospital to ‘add £61m’ to economy

THE planned conversion of Manchester’s old Royal Eye Hospital into a centre for biotech and medical technology companies will create 450 jobs and add £61m to the city’s economy.

That’s according to the city council which is set to formally approve the scheme this week.

An application was lodged with the council just before Christmas to convert the Grade II listed building on Oxford Road and add a five-storey extension.

The scheme involves the demolition of three rear wings at the building which was constructed between 1884-86 by architects Pennington and Bridgen.

But there has been no objection from English Heritage and the council believes the economic benefits outweigh the impact of architectural changes.

“This proposal would deliver very real economic benefits in a high order sector which is currently under-represented in Manchester despite all the necessary conditions for growth being in place,” says a report approving planning consent ahead of a council meeting on February 17.

It added: “In total, it is estimated that the former Royal Eye Hospital development will create 448 net additional jobs generating £61m of Gross Value Added per annum. The development of the site would deliver regeneration benefits and promote additional investment opportunities. There would be employment opportunities associated with the development, both during the construction period and once the scheme is operational.”

Clinical trials group ICON, which already has a base at nearby Manchester Science Parks (MSP), has been pencilled in as the anchor tenant. Manchester property group Bruntwood is developing the hospital and MSP will manage it.

Pennington and Bridgen’s other work in the city included the gothic Queen’s Chambers on the corner of Deansgate and John Dalton Street, occupied by the Katsouris deli, and the Glasgow Assurance Building on the corner of Cross St and Princes St.