WeWork Rethink Leaves Manchester Barely Touched But Retreats In Birmingham
WeWork has completed its UK regional rethink and decided to leave its Manchester operation largely untouched.
However, the U.S. coworking operator will abandon plans to expand its Birmingham coworking portfolio as it attempts to secure its future. It will retain single outlets in Birmingham, Cambridge and Edinburgh.
The only Manchester casualty is a plan to open a 50K SF hub at Boultbee Brook's Hyphen development, Mosley Street. WeWork withdrew from the deal in July 2020. Four other Manchester outlets remain in operation: 1 St Peter’s Square, The Hanover Building, Dalton Place and No1 Spinningfields.
However, Birmingham's expansion from one hub to three has been put into reverse.
“As part of our plan to optimise our existing real estate portfolio, we are working with our landlord partners to consolidate our presence in Birmingham to a single flagship location at WeWork 55 Colmore Row, where we will continue to provide our members with first-class, flexible space solutions,” a WeWork spokesperson said.
The firm closed its 97K SF hub at Birmingham's 6 Brindley Place at the end of October, moving members to the 55K SF hub at 55 Colmore Row. It also abandoned plans to convert Louise Ryland House into a third 81K SF Birmingham outlet.
