Member Article

SCP renews lease on premium offices in Manchester city centre

A specialist transportation planning, highway and drainage design consultancy has renewed its five year office lease deal with Orbit Developments in Manchester city centre.

The move by SCP to continue leasing 4000sq ft of space in Colwyn Chambers on York Street is a vote of confidence in its office footprint - they have been there for the last five years – and will be at the heart of growth plans for the business as they emerge from lockdown.

SCP offer consultancy services to developers, landowners, architects, planning consultants, solicitors, local authorities, and others involved in the construction industry by promoting and designing solutions to transport, highway and drainage issues. They have a long-standing relationship with Orbit as both customer and client.

The company was established in 1991 and provides services throughout the UK from a network of offices in Manchester, Leeds and London. While all 25 Manchester-based staff have been working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the plan is to gradually bring people back into the city centre once the advice to ‘work from home if you can’ ends.

SCP Director David Roberts said: “Lockdown coincided with a break clause in our office lease with Orbit and added a significant element of uncertainty about where our future lay. But having taken soundings from clients on their plans, talked to employees and other people around the business, we are confident that renewing at Colwyn Chambers is the right strategy for us.

“It’s been a big part of our identity for the last few years and has been an excellent location for our staff and visitors, right in the heart of the city, easy to get to by train, tram and bus, locally and nationally. The open plan layout helps us work collaboratively – something we have missed during lockdown - and to create the positive working environment which we know delivers best results for clients.

“Remaining in Colwyn Chambers will also keep us close to other professionals in the city and all the good local amenities. Pre-lockdown we had lots of shops and restaurants on our doorstep – we will hopefully be able to contribute to their resurgence by being here too.”

Adam Jackson, Leasing Director from Orbit Developments, said it was great to be welcoming SCP back to Colwyn Chambers. “We have been working hard at our end to make sure that the office space in this iconic Grade II listed building is ready for their return and play our part in rebuilding confidence in a safe and secure office environment.”

Following Government advice Orbit has installed a number of safety measures including social distancing barriers and signage in communal areas of all its buildings and hand sanitiser units in receptions and landing areas.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .