Deloitte agrees 35,000 sq ft Manchester move 

The Big Four advisory firm is to relocate from its 67,000 sq ft Hardman Street base to WeWork’s Hanover Building on Corporation Street, as it seeks a more flexible approach to working. 

Deloitte’s 800 Manchester-based staff will occupy two floors at the grade two-listed, 91,000 sq ft Hanover Building, located within the Noma business district and operated by the US-based co-working provider. 

Deloitte plans to move in early next year.

The firm’s move sees them join Amazon at the six-storey Hanover Building after the e-commerce giant opened its first Manchester office there in January.

Amazon signed a 90,000 sq ft lease to take the whole of the building in October 2018 but currently occupies three floors. The company expects to expand its presence in the building over the next three years, taking over the three floors leased by WeWork.

The office block could house 600 staff once Amazon takes up more of the Hanover Building.

A £35m project to refurbish the 91,000 sq ft building completed in 2018.

Andy Westbrook, practice senior partner for Deloitte North West, said: “Manchester has always been and will remain a very important strategic location for Deloitte. We have invested significantly in our North West business in order to successfully develop our client offerings.

“We have a clear real estate strategy in place, and the move to the Hanover Building is the first step on that journey.” 

Mathieu Proust, general manager of UK and Ireland at WeWork, added: “The seismic shifts we are seeing in the way the world works are redefining the role of the office, and this is a great example of a business recognising the right workspace as a critical resource that enables connection, innovation and company culture to thrive.” 

Colliers International represented Deloitte as lettings agent and WeWork was unrepresented. 

In October, Deloitte announced it would close its Liverpool office at Exchange Flags in response to changing ways of working expediated by Covid-19. 

Deloitte’s 65 Liverpool-based staff were all offered full-time remote working roles, the company said. 

WeWork is in the process of reviewing its North West portfolio having appointed Knight Frank to oversee the process earlier this year. 

In July, the co-working firm ditched plans to lease the entire 51,000 sq ft Hyphen on Mosley Street in Manchester following talks with the building’s owner Boultbee Brooks Real Estate  

As well as the Hanover Building, WeWork’s other Manchester sites are 1 St Peter’s Square, Dalton Place, and No1 Spinningfields.