A MANCHESTER developer says new office blocks will bring a ray of light to hard-pressed city centre businesses.

The shortage of new office space in the city centre has meant many businesses have had to put growth plans on hold. Others have begun to look for property elsewhere or been forced to stay put in old and out-of-date office buildings.

But new developments around the city centre, at Booth Street, Spring Gardens and Princess Street, are brightening up the prospects for occupiers.

A joint venture between Manchester-based CTP and LNC Properties has delivered the first Grade "A" office building this year to Manchester's prime core. Aurora, dubbed the "Building of Light" by developers Manchester-based CTP, is a six-floor block at 55 Princess Street. The 57,000 sq ft block is covered in floor-to-ceiling glazing.

Guy Illingworth, managing director of CTP says: "It is widely known that there is a tight supply of Grade `A' stock in Manchester. We are confident that this development will respond to increasing levels of demand from the range of national and international businesses that the city is continuing to attract.

"The thoughtful design provides excellent natural light and will appeal to professional and financial occupiers in the market place." Chris Mulcahy, of King Sturge, joint agents on the scheme with DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, said: "We are already receiving high levels of inquiries from interested parties."

Rents will be around é28.50 a sq ft. Tweet