The Co-operative Group not relocating to Kingsway

The Co-operative Group decision not to relocate to Kingsway as been described has "disappointing" by Rob Green, Kingsway operations director; he cited the difficulty of tempting them out of Manchester city centre as the main reason.

The proposal submitted to The Co-operative Group was for a "high quality and environmentally considerate building" based around the Kingsway Metrolink station, responding to the Group’s need for excellent and sustainable transport connections. Whilst this submission was not ultimately successful because of the Group’s desire to remain in a City Centre location the proposed scheme is expected to influence the future development of this part of Kingsway as an office quarter.

Rob Green, Kingsway operations director, comments: “Kingsway Business Park is becoming a very attractive proposition for businesses requiring office space. The Co-operative Group considered Kingsway Business Park as a viable option because of its attractiveness as a business location. This pays testimony to what Kingsway can offer in terms of connectivity, business support and also its green credentials. Obviously we’re disappointed not to make the final short-list, but given the numbers of staff involved in the move it was always going to be difficult to tempt them out of Manchester city centre.”

John Hudson, RDA chief executive, said: “I would like to thank Wilson Bowden and the Kingsway Team for putting forward an excellent submission to the Co-operative Group on behalf of Rochdale Borough. We respected the Group’s desire for confidentiality about the process but the RDA worked very hard with the Kingsway Partnership to attract this major investment to the borough. The Co-operative Group will retain a major presence in the borough at Sandbrook Park and the experience of working with the organisation has demonstrated the attractions of Kingsway as an office location, especially with the added benefits of the Metrolink.”
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David Pringle, Director of Investment and Property Strategy, from the Co-operative Group comments: “The final decision on where to establish our new headquarters was a tough one based on a number of considerations. Kingsway put forward an attractive, high quality proposition to us and both Rochdale Development Agency and Kingsway are to be commended for the positive approach they took to our discussions.”