Leading online electric product retailer AO World is to consolidate its Manchester operation with a base at Bruntwood’s Riverside office complex.
The Bolton-headquartered white goods specialist has taken an 11-year lease for the whole of the six-storey Baskerville House, occupying just under 37,000 sq ft.
AO World PLC, which trades as AO.com, is currently based in City Tower at Piccadilly Plaza, a former Bruntwood building, and in an office suite within Riverside’s five-building cluster.
Riverside, situated on New Bailey Street on the banks of the River Irwell, near to Salford Central rail station, lies on the edge of the city centre’s core business district and has recently undergone a £5 million refurbishment.
“Moving our entire Manchester operation under one roof not only makes sense, but is a reflection of the business’s success and our continued growth ambition,” said Steve Caunce, chief executive of AO World PLC.
“Baskerville House is a perfect location for this next stage of our development and will meet the needs of our staff with great transport connections and excellent local amenities.
“Bruntwood has also really thought about how the environment at Riverside can benefit their customers and I have no doubt that AO and our people will thrive here.”
AO.com founder John Roberts (pictured below, right) told us recently that he would not hesitate in having another flotation – but admitted he would get a bigger “flak jacket” to deal with the brickbats.
Along with 1.5 acres of public realm, including a private courtyard with water features and sculptures, the campus also has a secure bicycle storage area and shower facilities to encourage workers to walk, run or cycle to work.
A new boutique gym and personal training facility called FORM has also just opened at Riverside.
Andrew Butterworth, sales director at Bruntwood, said: “We have had a long-term relationship with AO World PLC since the company moved part of its business into Manchester city centre some eight years ago.
“We are very pleased that AO World has now chosen to locate all of its Manchester operation at Riverside, where we are sure the company will flourish and continue to build on its success and we look forward to supporting it with any future plans to expand.”
OBI Property represented AO World on the leasehold acquisition.
Will Lewis of OBI commented: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with AO and we are now looking forward to delivering a state of the art working environment for the AO team.”
OBI Property is appointed by AO to design and project manage the fit out. Bruntwood represented themselves in the transaction.