PRESS RELEASES /

13 January 2010

Marks & Spencer moves to Spinningfields

Allied London and Marks & Spencer today announce that the retailer has signed to lease significant office space at 3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester.

M&S will use the space for its Business Service Centre, which provides its core finance and support functions. The location will provide space for around 200 M&S employees and will see the movement of existing business and finance support functions from Salford Quays to Manchester city centre.

Contracts exchanged today on a 15 year lease for 21,000 sq ft on the eighth floor, taking this award winning building to 93% leased within 12 months of practical completion.

Marks & Spencer’s move to 3 Hardman Street will satisfy the retailer’s need for a high quality city centre location that is well served by the local transport network. Furthermore, the building’s high standard of energy efficiency and adherence to BREEAM Excellence Standards complement M&S’ own Plan A commitments.

3 Hardman Street won five prestigious awards last year including the regional BCO Award for Best Commercial Workplace and the Property Week Offices 09 Award for Best Development Outside of Central London.

Allied have secured major tenants including BDO Stoy Hayward, Bank of New York Mellon, Pinsent Masons, Baker Tilly, Beachcroft, Shoosmiths, Barclays, PKF and has also very cleverly partnered Regus, and secured some 23 other smaller companies, by using part of 3 Hardman Street, which is Manchester’s best serviced office centre.

The new space for Marks & Spencer will accompany its HR Shared Service Centre based at Salford Quays where over 100 employees are based.

Gary Critchley, Head of Business Services and Information at M&S, said “We are excited to confirm our Business Service Centre will be moving to 3 Hardman Street. The building’s innovative design, city centre location and excellent transport links are key to us offering our employees an attractive environment in which to work, and sits perfectly with our Plan A commitments. This move will further strengthen M&S’ business presence in the local area.”

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London, said:  “We are delighted Marks & Spencer has moved to Spinningfields, and to Manchester City centre.  This building is the best office building outside of London and is a great asset for Manchester.  I suspect it will be a long time before a building of such quality will be developed so I expect it to continue to attract keen tenant interest from those organizations that require an excellent working environment and great amenities for its management and staff.”