PUMA is set to open its new UK headquarters right here in Manchester.
It has been announced that the global sportswear brand has agreed a 20,000 sq ft lease of cutting-edge workspace in what is turning out to be one of the city’s most exciting destinations for technology, digital innovation, and creative businesses, Circle Square.
Set to take shape on the Oxford Road Corridor, PUMA’s new HQ will be in the £87 million development being brought forward by Bruntwood SciTech – which is a joint venture between property developers Bruntwood, L&G (Legal & General), and Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
No.3 Circle Square, which is where PUMA will be calling home, forms the latest phase of the neighbourhood’s ‘masterplan’, offering 15 floors of new workspace focused on innovation businesses.
According to developers, the building is currently finalising construction and will open this summer.
PUMA may already have an existing small presence in Manchester, but this move sees the brand relocate its UK HQ from London to Manchester.
The new Manchester HQ will be home to the company’s sales, marketing, merchandising, finance, people and operations, and direct to consumer departments.
PUMA says its new Manchester base will allow it to work side-by-side with existing forward-thinking and disruptive businesses and institutions that are already located at the Circle Square campus, and in the wider city centre, and provide it with new opportunities to collaborate and innovate as it continues to focus on innovation and advancing performance.
The location will also put PUMA on the doorstep of the city’s world-leading academic institutions too, giving it access to Manchester’s top STEM and creative talent in the city.
“The move to Circle Square and state-of-the-art facilities on offer forms a key part of our strategy for providing PUMA’s employees with a first class working environment with top facilities and amenities,” commented Lucynda Davies, who is PUMA’s UK Managing Director, as the new UK HQ was announced this week.
“Being surrounded by such a strong line up of industry was an important factor, and to find somewhere in the heart of Manchester’s thriving tech community is exactly what we hoped for.
“We’ve already experienced many of the gains that a thriving city like Manchester affords… and now, through our new UK HQ, we look forward to further integrating ourselves in the city’s innovative community.”
Featured Image – Bruntwood SciTech
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‘Eyesore’ Northern Quarter car park to be redeveloped as ambitious new neighbourhood
Emily Sergeant
An underused multi-storey car park in the heart of the city centre is set to be sold and redeveloped as an ‘ambitious’ new neighbourhood.
The ‘eyesore’ car park situated in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into what Manchester City Council is hoping will become a green and sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the ‘unique and independent’ ethos of the area.
It comes after developers CBRE were appointed by the Council last year to market the Church Street site for disposal, ahead of seeking formal planning permission.
The new scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes – including 60 affordable homes – alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces.
A before and proposed after of Church Street Car Park / Credit: Manchester City Council
It’s expected that the development will respect the heritage and architecture of the historic city centre neighbourhood and help to enhance the wider area, all while improving a car park site that has long fallen out of favour.
The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm.
As mentioned, commercial space is also part of the plans, as the ground floor of the building will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood, alongside units for food and beverage outlets.
“For too long, the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces.”
The final legal negotiations will conclude over the summer, and it’s expected that a public consultation will then take place to inform a future planning application.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
News
‘Major milestone’ as planning permission secured to transform Oldham town centre
Emily Sergeant
Planning permission has been granted for six transformational sites in Oldham town centre, with developers calling it a ‘major milestone’.
This approval marks a key step forward in Muse Places and Oldham Council‘s long-term partnership with a shared ambition to deliver a ‘vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable’ town centre that not only reflects Oldham’s heritage but also meets the needs of the people who live there.
Following ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community earlier this year, where hundreds of people took park and shared valuable feedback to help shape the proposals, a total of 1,619 new homes will be delivered as part of the plans, offering a mix of high-quality, energy-efficient apartments designed for families, older people, and young professionals.
The plans also include social and affordable housing provision too in a bid to help more local people find a home that suits their needs and circumstances.
According to the Council and developers, the approved plans will bring underused sites back into ‘productive’ use and support a ‘cleaner, greener’ future for Oldham, opening the door to new opportunities for local businesses and communities alike.
“This decision marks a key milestone in delivering on our promises for Oldham,” commented Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Council.
Planning permission has been secured to transform Oldham town centre / Credit: Muse Places
“Oldham Council and Muse have a shared, ambitious vision to create a quality place that people genuinely want to spend time in.
“I am thrilled that we can continue moving forward with our plans, delivering high-quality homes, including the provision of social and affordable homes to meet local needs. We will also support local businesses and create opportunities for everyone, as part of a clean, green and sustainable future.
“Together, we are creating a place that we can all be proud of.”
Site investigation works are now complete at the Civic Centre, and works at Prince’s Gate will begin shortly, followed by the former Magistrates’ Court later this year.
With planning consent secured and preparatory works underway, construction at Prince’s Gate is expected to begin this autumn.
Emily Sergeant -
1st May 2025 
