Bruntwood and Trafford Council have unveiled plans for a £2.5m expansion of their Foundation workspace in Altrincham after the scheme reached full occupancy.
The joint venture wants to create a further 14,215 sq ft of workspace at Stamford Square, extending the business community established at Foundation following what it described as significant demand.
The plans are subject to planning permission and would see a new entrance created through the existing Foundation building, giving direct access to the additional space above retail units at Stamford Quarter.
The scheme would also include improvements to the external elevation, new windows and a new roof.
Foundation was launched as part of the wider transformation of Stamford Quarter, combining workspace with facilities including a gym, changing areas, showers, cycle facilities and a shared business lounge.
Occupiers include global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE and creative and digital marketing agency TGG.
The proposed expansion will provide a mixture of leased and managed workspace aimed at both scale-ups and established businesses.
The announcement follows the arrival of pension support provider Askrose, which has agreed a letting for 2,910 sq ft of bespoke workspace and takes Foundation to full occupancy. The space is currently being fitted out to support the company’s growth.
Sharon Johnson, Head of Commercial at Bruntwood Places, said: “Since launch, Foundation has seen significant interest from ambitious and established businesses looking for high-quality, flexible workspace in a prominent town centre location. With our track record in Altrincham and across Greater Manchester, we’ve been able to create an ecosystem where businesses can connect, collaborate, grow and thrive, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see that community develop.
“The demand for Foundation, which has now reached full capacity, has given us the confidence to push forward with these exciting plans and create space for even more businesses to become part of this growing community. This £2.5 million investment reflects our long-term commitment to creating places where businesses can see their futures, while supporting the wider local community and economy.”
Foundation sits close to Altrincham’s transport interchange and acts as a gateway to Stamford Quarter, which is also home to retailers and leisure operators including LookFantastic’s first bricks-and-mortar store, Sostrene Grene, Oliver Bonas, Lane7 and Nell’s Pizza.
Bruntwood and Trafford Council said they are progressing talks with a number of national and independent retail and leisure operators over the remaining vacant space at Stamford Quarter, with further announcements expected.
The Foundation building also features a 375 sq m living biophilic wall made up of 36,000 plants grown by South Manchester-based I Want Plants. According to the joint venture, the HYVERT wall is now home to 125 invertebrate species and has absorbed more than 1,500kg of CO₂.
Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring plans for this expansion forward. Subject to planning permission, our aim is to create more capacity for ambitious, forward-thinking businesses – new and established – to base themselves in this vibrant working community, in the heart of Altrincham town centre. One of our priorities as a Council is to foster a thriving economy and enabling this growth, to meet clear demand, is just one way that we are working with partners to achieve this.”
