On the Beach set for move to new central Manchester office

Ten-year lease on new ‘campus style’ digital headquarters will help OTA attract ‘very best’ talent in region Continue reading →

Online travel agent On the Beach is to relocate the majority of its business operations to a new ‘campus style’ digital headquarters in central Manchester in November.

The FTSE 250 company, which has been based in Cheadle for five years, has signed a ten-year lease for the whole of the Aeroworks building, a former aircraft components factory totalling 34,507 square feet.

A multi-million pound refit is currently underway to create a space featuring a 250-seat auditorium and theatre, games room, open plan casual seating and lounge areas, library, music room and beach bar.

Beach styling and furnishings, including hammocks, swing seats and Palapa-shaded tables, will reflect the brand’s holiday focus.

State-of-the-art communication and collaboration technology will also be installed throughout the entire space.

The plans were developed following an extensive employee engagement initiative, which included one-to-one interviews, workshops and online surveys.

The move will provide the space needed for the company to expand its digital teams from 200 to more than 350 employees over the next three to five years focusing on development, design and marketing, as well as product and business analysis.

This will see the OTA’s total workforce grow to more than 500 staff.

The On the Beach contact centre will remain at Cheadle, with the premises undergoing a major redesign and refit – again in response to employee feedback – ready for early 2019.

Chief executive Simon Cooper said: “On the Beach is one of the leading technology businesses in the north and the move to Manchester’s city centre – and in close proximity to Piccadilly station – will no doubt allow us to better leverage this position in terms of attracting and retaining the very best talent in the region and beyond.

“The new space and its state-of-the-art facilities have been designed specifically for our employees and shaped by their feedback and will allow us to become more collaborative, increasing our ability to innovate. We look forward to being at the heart of the Manchester digital business hub.”