27/02/2018

The Northern Powerhouse: RLB Demonstrates Commitment to Manchester City Centre

Written by Russell Bolton

Manchester has always been a hub of trade – from its urbanisation in the Industrial Revolution as a result of its buoyant textile industry through to the housing of the first ever industrial estate, the Trafford Centre in Stretford.

Manchester has always been a hub of trade – from its urbanisation in the Industrial Revolution as a result of its buoyant textile industry through to the housing of the first ever industrial estate, the Trafford Centre in Stretford.

As we gather ourselves at Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) to attend MIPIM, the largest property event in the calendar, we have been reflecting on how Manchester and its economy has boosted the property and construction industry as a whole this year and how we, as independent construction, property and management consultants, have seen our business in Manchester flourish since our arrival in the city in 1990.

Now in our 28th year of trading in Manchester, we recently announced our move from our current offices at Exchange Quay in Salford to larger premises in the heart of the city centre at 1 King Street on 23rd March. This move reflects our growth as a company with our team quadrupled in size over the last three years, making us the largest independent provider of Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, Health & Safety and Advisory services in Manchester.

Our growth is in line with Manchester’s growth that has seen developments over the last few years including Spinningfields, First Street, University of Manchester, Northern Quarter, Media City as well as big name companies such as the BBC, Bupa and ITV move their HQs to Manchester.

As well as being instrumental in making Manchester the dynamic and exciting city it is today, we have looked to support the local Manchester economy by purposely procuring locally based contractors in our office move. As a result, Flexible Business Interiors (FBI) have been working with us on the refurbishment of our new offices - a 9,300 square foot turn-key project based in Manchester’s King Street.

Manchester’s growth looks likely to continue over the next decade and beyond with the plans for new transport links including the High Speed 2 railway that will transform the commute for those travelling from the North to the South and allow easier access to both Southern and European businesses to the North of England.

In a couple of weeks’ time, we will look to meet and greet many familiar faces in the property and construction market at MIPIM to be able to share our expertise and knowledge of both the built environment market as well as the Manchester one. Most importantly we hope that those we meet at MIPIM will be part of Manchester’s growth and investment story and work with us to continue the expansion of the Northern Powerhouse.

Chris Hartley and Russell Bolton, both Partners from Rider Levett Bucknall will be attending MIPIM on 12-16 March 2018.