Softcat opens new Manchester office at Manchester Goods Yard

Softcat has officially opened its new Manchester office in the Goods Yard Building at St John’s, the city’s fast growing creative district, setting out its stall as a vibrant base for collaborative working.

The IT services firm has relocated from Universal Square in Ardwick to a dedicated 35,000 sq ft floor on level six of Manchester Goods Yard. The move places the team within the Enterprise City campus and within easy reach of central transport links. Lambert Smith Hampton advised Softcat on the deal, with OBI acting for the landlord.

What is inside the new workspace

Softcat says the office has been designed around sustainability and wellbeing, using repurposed furniture and smart office solutions, and is working towards FitWel accreditation and a SKA Silver rating. The goal is a flexible, collaborative space that brings people, partners and customers together.

Part of Enterprise City in St John’s, Manchester Goods Yard is a 333,000 sq ft mixed use building completed in 2022 and developed by Allied London with Aviva as its funding partner. It anchors a neighbourhood aimed at media, tech and creative occupiers, with well-known names such as Booking.com and Cloud Imperium Games nearby.

The building targets BREEAM Excellent and carries WiredScore Platinum for digital connectivity, underlining its appeal as a future ready workplace. Large, flexible floorplates, biophilic design and ground floor leisure and retail aim to support activity throughout the day.

Amenities for modern occupiers

For occupiers and their teams, Manchester Goods Yard provides the staples of Grade A city space. There are showers and lockers, cycle facilities, a staffed reception, raised floors and an on site cafe, with basement parking available on select suites. The blend of wellness features, active travel support and hospitality style services is helping employers bring teams together more often.

Why this matters for Manchester’s office market

Softcat’s shift from an edge of centre campus to the heart of St John’s reflects a wider trend. Established employers are upsizing into high spec, amenity rich buildings that support hybrid working and a strong workplace culture. Given MGY’s specification and location, the move further strengthens the case for St John’s as a credible alternative to traditional core central business district towers.

Matt Newton, Softcat’s Head of Property and Workplace, commented:

Our new Manchester office continues the momentum of our recent upgrades in Birmingham, Bristol and London, with enhanced facilities that reflect our commitment to sustainability, collaboration and innovation. It’s fantastic to see another location bring our refreshed brand to life in such a dynamic way. Each move has built on the last, evolving our look and feel while creating modern, future ready workspaces. With its more central location, the Manchester office also offers improved transport links and deeper connections to the local community, making it an ideal base for our growing team.