Plans progress to bring further 7,000 government jobs to Greater Manchester

The Government Property Agency (GPA) has exchanged contracts to acquire a five-acre site in Ancoats that will bring 7,000 civil service jobs to Greater Manchester.

The deal agreed with Manchester City Council will see a new state-of-the-art government digital campus built on the former Central Retail Park site just outside Manchester City Centre. Once complete, the hub will bring together around 7,000 civil servants from a range of government departments with a focus on digital skills.

Progress on the GPA’s plans for the Manchester Digital Campus follow the topping out of its First Street Hub earlier this Spring, which will consolidate 2,600 government jobs near Deansgate station from a number of government departments. Both schemes form part of the government’s Levelling Up ambitions to redistribute civil servants away from Whitehall to hubs around the country.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart, said:

“This latest expansion in Manchester not only represents our ongoing commitment to investing in digital excellence, but also signifies our dedication to contributing positively to the city’s vibrant community economy.

“We are excited to create more modern and productive work environments in the heart of the city, where civil servants from across the North West can be inspired and take pride in delivering the best possible service to the taxpayer.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

“The new digital campus, set to be home to 7,000 digital jobs, represents a significant investment that will complement the wider regeneration story that has been unfolding in this part of our city centre for the past two decades. We have worked closely with the GPA to unlock the potential of the former retail site through this development, which will sit aside a new public green space delivered by the council – improving access to the existing Cotton Field Park.“

Clive Anderson, Director of Capital Projects at the GPA, said:

“We are pleased to be working collaboratively with MCC to regenerate this important area of Manchester, as well as supporting the Government policies of levelling up and places for growth. The GPA is also proud to be creating fantastic and sustainable workplaces to support the transformation of the Civil Service, and we are committed to growing its presence in Manchester, drawing upon the city’s pool of talent.”

The land purchase is expected to complete fully next year, with construction set to begin in 2026, subject to planning approval.