The Co-operative Group has announced the appointment of BAM Construction to help it develop plans for its new head office in Manchester.

Manchester City Council has now approved the Group's planning application for a 15 storey building on Miller Street, comprising of 325,000 sq ft of open plan office and support space.

BAM has been appointed to work with the existing design team to develop and help cost the final build. The site preparation will begin early in the New Year with construction commencing next May.


Lynda Shillaw, Managing Director of The Co-operative Estates, said: "Our new head office will be one of the most exciting and innovative buildings in the UK and there has been keen interest from the construction industry to work on the project."

The proposed building's design, construction and operation will make it one of the most sustainable in Europe and will help Manchester in its aim to become a 21st century leader in sustainable development.

The new head office will be the first phase in the redevelopment and regeneration of the Group's 20-acre site, located at the city's Northern Gateway and bounded by Miller Street and Corporation Street.

(CD/GK)