Manchester’s booming economy is changing what workers expect from the office, according to new data from Valve in partnership with the Flexible Space Association (FlexSA).
The research suggests that as Manchester attracts more investment, high-growth businesses and skilled workers demand is soaring for offices with wellbeing, lifestyle and hospitality features such as gyms, rooftop terraces, outdoor space and wellness rooms.
The trend comes as Andy Burnham continues to champion Greater Manchester as a rival to London for jobs, investment and talent. As more high-growth businesses choose the city, expectations around the workplace are changing too.
Workers increasingly want offices that offer the kinds of amenities associated with health, wellbeing and lifestyle. Demand for balconies is currently 8.2 times greater than supply in Manchester, while exercise studios are 7.9 times oversubscribed.
Demand also far exceeds availability for rooftop terraces (3.9x), wellness rooms (3.8x), gyms (4x), restaurants (5.2x) and on-site baristas (5.4x). More than 85% of occupiers requested outdoor space despite fewer than a quarter of buildings offering it.
Alex Timbs, VP Operations at Valve, explained, “The amenities people are searching for tell us a lot about the city Manchester is becoming. Demand is strongest for features linked to wellbeing, lifestyle and employee experience rather than traditional office essentials. That’s exactly what you’d expect in a city attracting more skilled jobs, investment and growing businesses.”
Jane Sartin, Executive Director of FlexSA, (pictured) said: “Andy Burnham has spent years making the case that regional cities like Manchester can compete with London, and this data suggests that’s exactly what’s happening.
“Flexible workspaces play an important role in local economies by giving businesses the room to put down roots in cities such as Manchester and Leeds, and then grow at the pace that works for them. As those cities attract more talent and investment, workers are becoming more selective about where they work. They want workplaces that support wellbeing, collaboration and a better work-life balance.”
