Fisher German Highlights Optimism in Greater Manchester Office Market

Greater Manchester’s growing office market is fuelling continued optimism, and despite modest Q3 take-up figures in the city centre, 2025’s total take-up should still be in-line with the area’s five-year average, according to a leading property expert.

According to the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF), which includes leading property consultancy Fisher German, South Manchester reports that Q3 take up totalled 106,919 sq ft over 33 transactions. Salford Quays and Old Trafford totalled 72,626 sq ft over 24 transactions.

The figures mean that 2025’s take-up in these areas has already surpassed 2024 performances, with more deals expected to complete before the end of the year.

While Manchester city centre’s Q3 take-up dipped to 191,728 sq ft, Marcus Baumber, of Fisher German, said that the growing appeal for the wider Greater Manchester office market is extremely positive, and that several active city centre enquiries are fuelling optimism for the end of 2025 and into 2026.

He said: “The 2025 figures for South Manchester, Salford Quays and Old Trafford have already surpassed 2024’s total, which is extremely positive and demonstrates the growing appeal for the wider Greater Manchester office market.

“This is despite the uncertainty in the market as a result of wider economic landscape and upcoming budget, which some businesses may be factoring into their plans”.

“While figures for the city centre are down, there are deals in the pipeline which we would expect to complete before the end of 2025 and should mean that figures reach the five-year average.

“Looking ahead, there are already new requirements being circulated which will complete in 2026, meaning that there is already a lot of optimism for the new year.”

He added: “In the city centre, there is a limited pipeline of new Grade A stock coming through.

“As companies look to prioritise creating a high-quality workplace, the general trend that we continue to see is that demand for Grade A office space, whether new build or by refurbishment, remains high. This is something we expect to continue as we go into 2026.”

Manchester Office Agents Forum is made up of Avison Young, CBRE, Colliers International, Canning O’Neill, Cushman & Wakefield, Edwards, Fisher German, TSG Property Consultants, Hallam Property Consultants, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH, OBI, Savills, and Sixteen.