Agility in action: Manchester’s dynamic occupier market

From lease arrangements to workplace design and amenities, the city’s occupiers are prioritising solutions that allow them to respond quickly to change and make the most of every square foot of space. This blend of adaptability and purpose is shaping how Manchester continues to grow and compete as a leading commercial hub.

A dynamic regional market

The Manchester occupier market continues to mature, with clients increasingly focused on creating offices that not only function efficiently but also express their brand, support recruitment, and demonstrate commitment to the area.

Even for global businesses with smaller satellite teams, having a visible, high-quality presence in the city provides reassurance to staff and future talent that the business is invested for the long term - signing a lease for another 10 years is a strong indicator that they are here to stay. This sense of stability and commitment is becoming an important factor in workplace decision-making.

Evolving workplace culture

Change is happening across all sectors, but there has been a noticeable shift within professional services firms, often undergoing significant cultural and spatial changes at the time of lease renewal. Traditional, cellular layouts are giving way to open, agile environments that better reflect modern ways of working.

Across the city, clients are re-evaluating how space supports collaboration, focus and wellbeing - large, underused meeting rooms are being replaced with a mix of quiet zones, libraries, breakout areas and technology-enabled spaces like podcast rooms. These changes are helping businesses make their offices more inclusive, efficient and engaging.

Working with Ecclesiastical Insurance to find a ‘rightsized’ new home

This flexible, future-focused approach is highlighted in the work that was carried out with long-standing Knight Frank client Ecclesiastical Insurance.

Ecclesiastical Insurance had occupied a single floor plate of around 9,000 sq ft within St Ann’s House in central Manchester for over a decade, but departmental structure and changes to working patterns meant that some of the space - including surplus workstations and a large boardroom - was being underutilised.

Whilst the simplest solution might have been for Ecclesiastical Insurance to stay in the building and renew their lease, our team conducted a detailed stay vs. go assessment, analysing cost, space efficiency and, working with our client, employee experience. This led to a recommendation to relocate to a smaller but higher-quality office of approximately 6,500 sq ft in a prime city-centre building.

The relocation provided the opportunity to re-model the workspace around how the business operates, complete with flexible zones, shared meeting facilities and improved shared building amenities. The cost appraisal analysis between stay vs. go, including incorporating the capex over a 5-10-year period, remained comparable – despite less square footage, the space delivered a significantly better experience, including an enhanced working environment and improved operational efficiency.

Flexibility in action

Across Manchester, other occupiers are adopting a similar mindset. Many are exploring fitted or “plug-and-play” space to accelerate occupation and reduce capex, particularly within the sub-8,000 sq ft market. This approach allows businesses to secure ready-to-use accommodation with quality finishes, furniture and breakout areas - providing an agile, cost-effective alternative to traditional fit-outs.

Asset owners and landlords are responding in kind, incorporating communal amenities through the development of underground carparks or rooftop spaces into gyms, roof terraces and community spaces. These features not only enhance building appeal but also encourage greater interaction and wellbeing among occupiers.

A future built on adaptability

Flexibility remains the unifying thread connecting design, leasing, and long-term portfolio strategy: spaces that can adapt, respond and perform in a changing market support people, performance and long-term business objectives.

To find out how our team creates value in their clients’ portfolios, or to read more about our Occupier Strategy and Solutions team, get in touch.