Northern Way Properties’ 280,000 square foot regeneration scheme in Ardwick has seen a dozen of its existing tenants take additional space over the last twelve months and eleven new names added to the 50 strong tenant list. Total take-up for the year has been 68,198 square feet, including Manchester City Council’s Library Services signing up for 9,213 square feet in a four year deal.

Marlow-based Softcat opened a 1,650 square foot northern branch in August 2008 at the scheme but after just twelve months found they needed to expand to 2,885 square feet and now employ over 30 staff at Universal Square. Northern Way’s director Gary Thomas said "it is great to see our customers succeed in these challenging times and we will continue to support them by providing high quality services in head office grade space at competitive rates".

The building was formerly the headquarters of Great Universal Stores and has been transformed over the last four years with an eleven million pound development programme. The scheme is currently 60 % occupied which allows for further growth and expansion in the coming year.

20 January 2010.