Jacobs chooses Cheadle over Manchester
A US engineering firm that was being courted by Ask Developments for First Street in Manchester has taken space at an Orbit scheme in Cheadle instead.
Engineering consultancy Jacobs UK has just agreed a 10-year lease on 45,000 sq ft at Park Square in Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle.
It already has 22,500 sq ft at the site and 170 staff. The latest deal will allow it to consolidate several offices and move a further 400 employees.
In October Ask’s chief executive Ken Knott said he was in talks with two businesses that could bring 5,000 jobs to First Street. These were understood to be healthcare provider Bupa and Jacobs.
A development framework for the 20-acre site details 1.25 million sq ft of offices – space for 10,000 workers. At present the only office block is the 180,000 sq ft 1 First Street where the council has a short lease on 140,000 sq ft while the Town Hall extension is being renovated.
Jacobs took 10,000 sq ft at Park Square in October 2011 and a further 12,500 sq ft a year ago. Orbit has also signed up pensions and business services provider MyCSP for 10,100 sq ft which means the 133,000 sq ft site is now fully let. It is also home to towel supplier Welspun UK and online travel agent On the Beach.
Tony Jones, managing director of Orbit Developments said: “Following the investment in the building we have attracted an array of high profile tenants and this is testament to the flexible and tailored office solutions we provide.
“We are excited to announce our next big Stockport investment project in due course, demonstrating our on-going commitment to our office portfolio within the town.”
Ask Developments declined to comment.
