Merseyway Innovation Centre. Stockport
Refurbishment of existing retail space to create a co-working offering with private offices and supporting spaces.

The Merseyway Innovation Centre is located at First Floor level within the existing Merseyway Shopping Centre fronting on to Merseyway itself. It will provide a new shared working space that will re-purpose existing vacant retail space to provide a centrally located and accessible business innovation centre. The centre will offer flexible serviced office and co-working accommodation for new start up and existing small businesses including:

• Business Lounge – For customers and guests of the centre providing opportunities for collaboration and development.

• Co-Working Space – Bookable desks for small and micro businesses or individuals working remotely. A first step for some in terms of growing their new business.

• Starter Business Units/Offices – Shared or individual offices for between one and four people aimed at new start-up/young businesses requiring incubation space and support.

• Grow on Space/Offices – Aimed at larger businesses with capacity for between 4 and 10 desks.

• Meeting Rooms.

• Support Space – compromising kitchen and welfare rooms.

In addition to the internal re-configuration and fit out of the first floor space works are proposed to the external envelope to provide new and increased areas of glazing to provide better daylight for the internal office accommodation and offer some environmental upgrade of the existing fabric. A new entrance at Ground Floor level will be provided fronting Merseyway that will afford access to the first floor accommodation via a refurbished existing lift and staircase. The ground floor entrance space will also accommodate 4 secure cycle spaces along with storage/drying room accommodation for cyclists/users.

The re-purposing of the space provides a low up front embodied carbon approach whilst significant fabric upgrades create significant improvements to operational energy demands. In keeping with this approach perimeter serviced office space is designed to be naturally ventilated with the opportunity to retrofit MVHR units only if required by tenants. Existing escape staircases will be maintained. These are shared with the ground and basement tenants. New building services are proposed throughout.

Refurbishment works will complete summer 2023.