Law firm next to sign up at 2 Stockport Exchange

Expanding Stockport law firm, O’Neill Patient Solicitors (ONP), has signed to take 22,901 sq ft on the second and third floors at 2 Stockport Exchange, joining BASF at one of the region’s most accessible hubs.

Currently based in Hazel Grove, O’Neill Patient, is moving to Stockport Exchange as is looks to modernise and retain the best talent in a town centre location.

The 61,500 sq ft six-storey building completed earlier this year and sits next to 1 Stockport Exchange. The remaining space is attracting strong interest.

The wider £145m Stockport Exchange transformation, delivered collaboratively by Stockport Council and national urban regenerators, Muse Developments, sits as part of the council’s visionary Mayoral Development Corporation and centrally to its £1bn town centre regeneration programme.

Based on the success of the previous phases, Stockport Council and Muse are looking to bring the next phase forward shortly, which will see the delivery of a further 64,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.

This next phase has also secured funding from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, as part of a £54m investment to support ‘shovel ready’ projects across Greater Manchester, which will help drive the region’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to the upcoming office phase will be the delivery of a 399-space multi-storey car park (MSCP) to replace the current surface car park.

The new MSCP, will have 24 EV charging points and solar photovoltaics, which will increase the sustainability and energy requirements of the car park, resulting in carbon savings of 25,000 kg Co2 per year.

The car park’s key feature will be the installation of a living wall that will enhance the biodiversity of the area, to reduce the urban heat island effect and slow the flow of extreme rainfall.

Tom Webber, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “The signing of O’Neill Patient at Stockport Exchange is a ringing endorsement of what we’re achieving here, and we’re delighted to welcome them to the growing community.

“Through our strong partnership with the council, we’re continuing to drive economic growth in the town centre, through the delivery of a high quality product that benefits from unrivalled connectivity, which all comes together to create a destination.

“We’re proud to be playing a significant role in the renaissance of Stockport town centre to benefit the whole community, and the town’s future success in the Mayoral Development Corporation.”

Cllr David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “Despite the current crisis, O’Neill Patient, are joining the town centre at an exciting time and will join BASF at this fantastic location. The fact that we have attracted such high calibre businesses to Stockport Exchange is testament to its high quality design in such an accessible location, with all the benefits of the town centre nearby.

“It’s good to see the private sector reflecting the confidence we have – and will always have going forward – in our borough.

“Our ambitious Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create, the new Transport Interchange and improvements to Merseyway, all coming to fruition in the near future, will increase our appeal even further. I look forward to welcoming O’Neill Patient to 2 Stockport Exchange.”

Andy Scaife, chief executive of O’Neill Patient Solicitors, said: “Stockport Exchange is a really well thought out development.

“ONP is growing rapidly and has continued to do so throughout the pandemic. We had been looking for new offices to accommodate our growing workforce and Stockport Exchange provides the perfect setting which is easy to get to and provides a really positive workspace for our team, as well as providing an image which is commensurate with our future plans and vision for the business which will see us modernise conveyancing.”

The wider Stockport Exchange development will deliver up to 375,000 sq ft of office space and 28,000 sq ft of commercial retail and leisure floor space.

Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE are joint agents for the scheme. Avison Young acted for O’Neill Patient.