MIX MANCHESTER explores joint venture restructure

The joint venture partnership behind airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus, MIX MANCHESTER, has confirmed it is in advanced talks for Manchester City Council and existing shareholder, Greater Manchester Pension Fund, to acquire a 50% share in the scheme.

The announcement comes on the back of Manchester City Council’s Executive Committee approving amends to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) in November last year, following an eight-week period of public consultation with local residents, community groups, councillors and stakeholders.

Commenting on behalf of MIX MANCHESTER Gareth Jackson, group property director at Manchester Airports Group, said:

“We can confirm we are in talks with MCC and GMPF regarding their potential investment in MIX MANCHESTER. We believe this represents an incredible opportunity to be part of one of most exciting science, innovation, and manufacturing developments in the UK and we look forward to releasing more information regarding this very soon.”

Once complete, MIX MANCHESTER will be one of the largest science and innovation campuses in the UK, delivering 2 million sq ft of high-quality advanced manufacturing and innovation space. It will be the only UK campus of its kind adjacent to an international airport and is set to create up to 8,000 jobs.

A range of buildings will be available, including mid tech, advanced manufacturing, research and development, laboratory and office spaces, alongside complementary amenities such as hotels, leisure facilities and high quality public realm. Planning approval has already been granted for two hotels on the site, including the region’s largest Premier Inn. The scheme also forms part of Greater Manchester’s Southern Gateway growth area, which stretches from Manchester Airport to Stockport town centre.

In total, £30 million of joint venture capital has been invested in highways and utilities infrastructure to service MIX MANCHESTER. A new pedestrian bridge linking to the main airport site, the Enterprise Way link road and the installation of high voltage electricity and utilities connections have already been completed on the ‘shovel-ready’ site.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig said:

“MIX MANCHESTER is an ambitious next phase for Manchester Airport and Wythenshawe, and another important engine of economic growth for the city, which will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs creating great opportunities for our residents.

“MIX is perfectly located to provide a platform for high growth industry to thrive and to continue to build on the city’s reputation as a centre of excellence for research, science, tech and manufacturing. This investment also complements the wider regeneration of Wythenshawe, including the transformation of the town centre and infrastructure investment at the hospital.

“Our ambition is for MIX Manchester to be an exemplar for public private collaboration, maximising the social and economic impact for the people of Manchester, while generating financial returns for the city.”