en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Manchester Digital Campus project in the UK has entered its initial construction phase, with contractors officially on site. Located next to Great Ancoats Street, the project comprises two buildings with a total gross floor area of approximately 900,000 square feet, with an overall target completion date of 2032.
Preliminary preparation work has now commenced, including breaking up and crushing concrete slabs, removing redundant drainage and utilities, lowering site levels, and conducting further geological surveys and measurements to pave the way for the main construction phase. Main construction is scheduled to begin in 2028. The construction team will also lay temporary tracks across the 5.5-acre site for construction machinery access.
The Manchester Digital Campus is being built on brownfield land, part of the former Central Retail Park, and is expected to house approximately 8,800 employees from various government departments, focusing on digital delivery. The project is described as a key component of the "Places for Growth" initiative. Planning permission was granted last year, and approval from the UK Treasury was received in March this year. The Cabinet Office plan is primarily being executed by the Government Property Agency.
Philippa Harvey, Senior Responsible Officer for the Manchester Digital Campus project, stated that this is a significant milestone, with the delivery of the plan progressing steadily, creating substantial tangible benefits for the government, taxpayers, the economy, and the skills sector in the region and across the wider UK. She noted that the project's progress is due to the collaborative efforts of many people across government departments, Manchester, and the wider region, and that much work remains. The Manchester Digital Campus is not just about new buildings but represents a transformation in how the government works, bringing digital departments together at scale in a purpose-built environment, fully integrated into the communities it serves. Once completed, the new campus will help leverage the North West's digital expertise, fostering collaboration across departments and the broader digital sector in the region.
According to government targets, by 2030, one in ten civil servants should be in technology and digital roles, compared to the current ratio of 5%. The government hopes the Manchester Digital Campus project will help achieve this goal. Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, stated that this is an important moment for Manchester. Transforming this derelict site will support nearly 9,000 government jobs concentrated in Manchester, as well as approximately 5,000 construction jobs. The government's investment in Manchester and Greater Manchester's future will consolidate its growing global reputation as a hub for the digital and cyber industries.
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