Other shareholders include Chinese contractor and airport

Manchester city council has taken a stake in a science and innovation campus being planned next door to the city’s airport.

The council has acquired a 30% share of the initiative called Mix Manchester while existing shareholder, Greater Manchester Pension Fund, has increased its stake from 10% to 30%.

The changes follow Columbia Threadneedle Investments’ decision to sell its 50% shareholding in the 2 million sq ft scheme.

mix

The scheme has been designed by Sheppard Robson

Other stakeholders in the project included Beijing Construction Engineering Group International and Manchester Airports Group, both with a 20% share.

MAG group property director Gareth Jackson said: “This strategic move strengthens both regional confidence and ownership in one of the UK’s most significant science, innovation, and manufacturing campuses and will ensure the project delivers maximum benefit to Manchester and the wider region.”

The scheme’s backers say the development will be the UK’s only campus of its kind located next to an international airport, “offering unparalleled connectivity for global collaboration and creating up to 8,000 employment opportunities”.

It has been designed by Sheppard Robson and landscape architect Planit, with CBRE as planning consultant.

Mix Manchester is being marketed by JLL and Track Real Estate as agents.

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