A recent land deal has advanced plans for a state-of-the-art government digital campus in Manchester.

The Government Property Agency (GPA) has finalised the purchase of five acres of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats from Manchester City Council (MCC). This marks a significant milestone in the GPA's efforts to establish Manchester Digital Campus, a state-of-the-art Government office complex in the city, designed to unite various Civil Service departments with a digital skills focus. Once complete, the digital hub will be home for around 7,000 civil servants.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart, said:

"This latest expansion in Manchester not only represents our ongoing commitment to investing in digital excellence, but also signifies our dedication to contributing positively to the city’s vibrant community and economy.

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"We are excited to create more modern and productive work environments in the heart of the city, where civil servants from across the North West can be inspired and take pride in delivering the best possible service to the taxpayer."

Conditional on planning approval, the deal progresses from the collaborative efforts of MCC and GPA last year, establishing an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework. This shared ambition aims to revitalise the former retail site, fostering employment and broader business prospects supported by the digital campus.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"The new digital campus, set to be home to 7,000 digital jobs, represents a significant investment that will complement the wider regeneration story that has been unfolding in this part of our city centre for the past two decades. We have worked closely with the GPA to unlock the potential of the former retail site through this development, which will sit aside a new public green space delivered by the council - improving access to the existing Cotton Field Park."

Clive Anderson, Director of Capital Projects at the GPA, stated:

"We are pleased to be working collaboratively with MCC to regenerate this important area of Manchester, as well as supporting the Government policies of levelling up and places for growth. The GPA is also proud to be creating fantastic and sustainable workplaces to support the transformation of the Civil Service, and we are committed to growing its presence in Manchester, drawing upon the city's pool of talent."

The land purchase is expected to complete fully next year, with construction set to begin in 2026.