An economic and cultural hub, Manchester is one of the best places in the UK to locate your business. If you're looking to rent a new flexible office space in Manchester, you've come to the right place. Future Squared can help pair you with the perfect new workspace in the capital of the North.
Manchester is a bustling city full of culture and history, known for its industrial past and its vibrant music scene. It's one of the UK's major cities but boasts cheaper rents and a more affordable cost of living than its rival, London. With a population of 2.8 million people in the Greater Manchester Area, the city has a diverse and educated workforce, making it a strategic place to locate your business.
There are a wide range of different types of flexible offices available to rent in Manchester, including serviced offices, coworking spaces, and much more. Here are some of the best options for your team.
Serviced Office Space in Manchester
If you're looking to move into your new Manchester office space as soon as possible, there are few options as quick and hassle-free as a serviced office. Kitted out with everything you need in a workspace (desks, chairs, high-speed internet, and amenities), these offices are perfect for any business that needs a new home ASAP.
Serviced offices provide your team with a private office as well as other facilities in the building such as shared break-out spaces, meeting rooms, and front of house services. Priced by the desk (not square foot), everything is included in a single monthly fee which covers your rent, maintenance, cleaning, security, insurance, and more.
Available across Manchester city centre and metropolitan area, serviced offices might be the perfect next step for your team. Take a look at some of the different stylish serviced offices available in the city to find your favourites.
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Semi Serviced Office Space
Similar to serviced offices, semi serviced offices are another superb option for teams looking to rent their brand new Manchester office for a budget-friendly price. Cheaper than serviced offices, semi serviced office spaces still have many of the same amenities, but the key difference is that they do not have a front of house. This means that you can walk directly into the private office, making the space really feel like your own.
Just like serviced offices, semi serviced office spaces are usually priced by the desk and include everything in a single monthly payment that covers rent, cleaning, and more. We recommend semi serviced offices to teams that are looking for a fully-equipped workspace but want to keep costs down.
Coworking Office Space for Rent in Manchester
Unlike private offices, coworking spaces are an opportunity to work alongside other businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, and start-ups in a state-of-the-art communal space. With many coworking offices, you can choose between renting dedicated desks for your team or hot desking, depending on how much flexibility you require.
Significantly cheaper than most private offices, coworking spaces have the benefit of being ideal for socialising and networking with like-minded people. They're also some of the most flexible workspaces on this list, allowing you to rent desks for just a few days a week for your hybrid team. Some coworking spaces might offer contracts for a limited number of hours per month with flexible terms to allow you to find the balance that is right for your team.
In coworking offices, meeting rooms and break-out areas are shared with the other teams in the building, which can be a potential downside of coworking spaces, but we think this con is outweighed by the numerous benefits of renting desks in a coworking office. If you want your team to network and build relationships with other local businesses, a coworking space is the best type of office space for this.
Manchester has a variety of coworking offices in great locations. To find your ideal coworking space, click the button and browse Manchester's best offerings below.
Managed Office Space in Manchester
Managed offices are the best of both worlds. Fully customisable like a traditional office lease, managed offices still offer the hassle-free experience similar to that of renting a serviced office. When you rent a managed office, you can specify all your needs for the bespoke kit-out of the workspace and the office provider will deliver your dream layout and decor. They will also handle everything from cleaning to security and maintenance for you, with everything included in your monthly rent fee.
For teams that want a unique office space without paying huge upfront fees, managed offices are ideal. The cost of your fit-out is spread over the contract, making the office more budget-friendly. Whether you're looking for a space where your company culture and branding can shine or want to impress clients with your shiny new workspace, managed offices are one of the most impressive flexible workspaces.
Moreover, managed offices provide more flexible terms than traditional leases, meaning that you can sign short term contracts without worrying about whether the property will still be suitable for your team in a few years' time.
Manchester is full of fabulous managed office spaces. Future Squared can help you negotiate the best deal for renting your exciting new space.
Virtual Office Space in Manchester
Ideal for organisations that transitioned to remote working during the Covid-19 pandemic or businesses that are between offices, virtual offices are a savvy choice. Instead of renting a physical space in a building, virtual offices allow you to use the building as a business address to impress your clients and send your mail.
Mail handling and forwarding facilities (and sometimes phone answering) are often included in the cheap monthly price, reducing the administrative burden on your team. Plus, some virtual office spaces provide discounts on meeting rooms and event spaces, which makes it easier than ever to get your whole team together for those all-important meetings.
Far cheaper than renting a traditional property in Manchester city centre, virtual offices are a worthwhile and cost-effective investment for your organisation. Can't afford an expensive office in Manchester's city centre? Take your pick of virtual offices to take advantage of the impressive address with little of the cost.
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What's Working in Manchester Like?
Manchester is known for its media and creative and digital industries as well as its innovative research centred around the University of Manchester. It's a thriving economic hub with lots of business opportunities around the area.
Manchester also boasts many cultural institutions to enrich your days, including art galleries, cinemas, and museums such as the IWM North and the National Football Museum. With two of the country's largest football clubs, Manchester also has something for the sport fans.
From the Gay Village to the famous Curry Mile, Manchester is hard to beat for its culture, food, drink, and nightlife. For after-work meals and drinks in the centre of the city, you'll be spoiled for choice.
Transport in Manchester
Greater Manchester has a reliable and extensive public transport system with trains, buses, and trams making it easy to travel around the city and get to and from the office. Cycling is another option for commuters thanks to the many dedicated cycle lanes.
Manchester is also well connected to the rest of the UK and abroad with four main railway stations (Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road, and Manchester Deansgate). Trains run between Manchester and London as frequently as every 20 minutes, and it's easy to get to other northern cities such as Liverpool and Leeds. The city also has the UK's third busiest airport, Manchester Airport.
The best office locations in Manchester
Manchester is full of great places to base your business. Some of the most desirable areas are the Manchester M1 and M2 postcode areas which include the city centre and central retail district as well as a wide range of bars and cultural institutions.
The Northern Quarter is a favourite for many due to its quirky street art, exciting music venues, and record stores. The Gay Village is another vibrant neighbourhood that is perfect for a lunchtime stroll or a night out after the end of the workday. The Spinningfields and Deansgate districts are popular locations for many businesses in the heart of the city centre.
The trendy neighbourhood of Ancoats is another favourite, a former industrial textile district now boasting unique food and drink options. For the best access to transport links, Piccadilly area is a favourite thanks to the Piccadilly train station, as is the area around Oxford Road. Many organisations also choose locations around King Street, a historic street with great shopping.
Considering Other Office Locations in the North?
With flexible offices across the entire UK, Future Squared can help you find your dream office location elsewhere in Northern England and farther afield. Check out our favourite types of office in Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, York, and beyond.
Find Your Flexible Office in Manchester
No matter what your organisation's requirements or budget, we're sure we can find the perfect flexible workspace for you in Manchester city centre or the greater metropolitan area. Use our office search tool to browse the different spaces available, or get in touch with Future Squared today and we'll be happy to help you find the perfect space.