A rendering of the new government digital campus and a city centre park space. Credit: © Manchester City Council.

Manchester City Council, in partnership with the UK’s Government Property Agency (GPA), has initiated a public consultation regarding the redevelopment of the former Central Retail Park site. 

The consultation aims to engage local residents, businesses, and stakeholders in shaping the proposals for a new government digital campus and a city centre park space. 

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In March 2023, the council approved an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework for the site. 

It outlined development principles that include the creation of low carbon commercial office space and accessible green space intended to bolster economic growth in the area. 

The GPA finalised the purchase of a five-acre portion of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats from the city council in May, with plans to build a government digital campus.  

This complex will consolidate various Civil Service departments, centred around digital skills, and is expected to house approximately 7,000 civil servants upon completion.  

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The project aims to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic development. 

Design of the new park space is underway in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE.  

The park will feature new walking routes that connect to other active travel investments in Ancoats, the Northern Quarter, and towards the Etihad Campus.  

Post-consultation, detailed design work will proceed to create a park comparable in size to Ancoats Green, which is also under redevelopment. 

GPA interim CEO Mark Bourgeois said: “We are pleased to be working collaboratively with Manchester City Council on these plans to regenerate this important area of Manchester and we look forward to the input from city residents and businesses to help us deliver the optimum proposal. 

“This proposed development, builds on the work the council and the GPA undertook last year in putting in place an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework, and the shared ambition to regenerate the Ancoats former retail site, creating employment and wider business opportunities, supported by the digital campus.” 

In April 2024, GPA chose Kier to design and develop the new hub at Darlington Economic Campus.