Ancoats’ Huckletree continues growth streak as Regital takes new workspace at co-working space

Programmatic marketing specialist Regital has taken an office at Ancoats-based Huckletree, following a period of planned and sustained growth. The deal was completed by OBI.

The firm was founded in 2011 by Ian and Michelle Vint and will be relocating to Huckletree from its current space in Conavon Court, Manchester city centre.

Carly Barnard, People Director, Regital said: “The idea of ‘the office’ has changed for us like many others. It’s no longer simply the place we go to work every day. We wanted a location to reflect the mix of office and home-working that we’re operating moving forward. Flexibility is key, and Huckletree has the ideal balance. It’s a perfect fit for us as a business, and the team couldn’t be happier we’ve made it our new home”.

Imani Chimo, General manager, Huckletree said: “Regital are a perfect curation fit for HKT Ancoats, their work to date, scope for growth and importantly their approach in building teams and tending to clients; mirrors all that Huckletree stands for. We are excited to scale alongside Regital; like us, they understand that there is no curfew on innovation!”

Debbie Meredith, Transactions and Asset Management at OBI, who advised on the transaction, added: “Regital is a great fit for Huckletree, with its sharp focus on culture and wellbeing as well as its creative and spacious environment, it is a vibrant place to inspire businesses to grow.

“Given the current COVID-19 pandemic – flexibility and agility are increasingly important as a number of businesses are continuing to assess how they work going forward and are choosing to incorporate an element of agile work into their real estate strategy. No capital upfront expenditure, transparency of costs and ease and speed into a new workspace are key benefits to these occupiers.

“Being a part of the Huckletree community and the amenity on offer to members is hugely attractive to the modern occupier. We anticipate continued growth in this sector for some time.”

Regital’s client roster includes global consumer brands such as New Balance, Rixo, Gymshark, Hoover and more.

Huckletree is based in Manchester’s iconic Express Building, the former headquarters of the Daily Express newspaper which was repurposed into pioneering office space in 2019.

Wittington Investments secured planning permission for the restoration of the grade II* listed building in early 2018 and OBI designed and project managed the works, with the building now boasting 77,500 sq ft of contemporary workspace.

Restoration work inside the Express Building included the internal floors being stripped out, revealing the original architecture, with a new exposed M&E system installed throughout, finished to an occupancy level of 1:8 sq m.

The Express Building reception was redesigned to include a café and breakout space and, in the basement, wellbeing facilities with shower, changing and bicycle storage facilities, with new electric vehicle charging points also provided.

Innovative workspace accelerator Huckletree signed up to take over 25,000 sq. ft. of space at the building ahead of completion, with its vibrant fit-out quickly becoming one of the most recognisable in the city. The building can also accommodate conventional requirements from 8,000 sq ft up to 50,000 sq ft.

OBI’s building and workplace consultancy teams worked with Huckletree, founded in Clerkenwell in 2011, on its fit-out, bringing forward features including a 100-person event space which can also be used as a ‘live lounge’ for music, presentations, workshops and networking event.

Since completion, Huckletree has welcomed a number of Manchester’s exciting SMEs and start-ups to the workspace, including Muscle Food, Engine Group, Stand for Socks, Money Giant and Pixel Kicks.