Bruntwood and Manchester University submit plans for £50 million redevelopment

Bruntwood and The University of Manchester have submitted plans for phase two of the £50 million redevelopment of Manchester Business Schoo.

The phase two plans focus on the redevelopment of the existing precinct centre to create a 40,500 sq ft retail and leisure offer, specifically designed to host a mix of high quality brands and amenities.

The plans reconfigure the existing centre to create up to 14 units ranging in size from 600 sq ft to 11,000 sq ft, with double-height glazed frontages onto Oxford Road.

The variety of units will create a mixed offer of retail, food and leisure for students, staff and visitors to the University and Business School, the significant working population on and around Oxford Road and the local residents.

The offer will complement the new hotel and enhanced Manchester Business School Executive Education Centre, both of which are being developed as part of phase one, which was granted planning consent in April 2013 with construction due to commence later in 2014.

In addition to the retail and leisure, phase two includes the removal of a link bridge across Oxford Road to improve views and light levels in the area.

Public realm improvements such as pavement widening will enhance the area for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

The phase two redevelopment also includes the refurbishment of circa 200,000 sq ft of MBS facilities to create significantly improved teaching and administrative accommodation, a new Learning Library and Enterprise Zone.

Toby Sproll, head of Retail and Leisure at Bruntwood, said: “The creation of a vibrant retail and leisure offer as part of the wider redevelopment of Manchester Business School is vital.

“Not only is there strong demand for a great retail mix from the University’s students, staff, workers and local residents, the site is a key strategic location in the Oxford Road Corridor.

“At the moment, there is very little retail or leisure provision between the city centre and Whitworth Park. These plans, however, create a new focal point that will provide fantastic amenities to the underserved catchment, attracting customers from first thing in the morning until well into the evening.

“We are confident demand for this location will see it become a thriving new destination in Manchester.”

Diana Hampson, director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester, added: “We share a long-term vision with Bruntwood to deliver not just exemplary facilities for the Manchester Business School and the University, but to create a landmark development in the Oxford Road Corridor.

“We are delighted, therefore, to be submitting this planning application, which will see the implementation of the next stage of the vision. With the other developments proposed or under way in the Corridor, such as the Oxford Road Station, the area’s future is set to be very positive.

“This development forms part of the University’s ten-year, £1 billion Campus Masterplan to create some of the most modern campus facilities in the world.”

The Manchester Corridor stretches from St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre to Whitworth Park. The area employs 55,000 people, generates £2.8 billion GVA, and has around 75,000 students between Manchester’s two universities.

Subject to planning consent, work on the retail redevelopment will begin in 2015, with the development set to open in mid-2016. The wider scheme of MBS refurbishment works will be completed in phases with the final phase due for completion in early 2018.

Tushingham Moore has been appointed by Bruntwood and The University of Manchester as the leasing agents for the scheme.