Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF ) – Q3 2026

The third quarter of 2026 saw 155,297 sq ft of office space transacted across 50 deals, according to data from the Manchester Office Agents Forum (MOAF). Whilst the number of deals remained consistent with previous quarters, the total sq ft transacted is down on the 184,500 sq ft recorded in Q2, and significantly lower than required to hit the 5-year annual average of 1.1m sq ft.

Despite a consistent number of transactions, the lack of larger transactions was notable and has therefore stifled take-up in Q3. The largest transaction saw Deliveroo commit to 24,975 sq ft at Tootal Building, advised by CBRE, followed by Dechra taking 14,331 sq ft at Bruntwood’s No.3 Circle Square. Leanord Curtis also acquired 10,027 sq ft Eden, developed by MUSE.

Matt Shufflebottom, Director at CBRE commented; “There is no hiding from the fact Q3 was a poor performance for the city centre office market and we are behind target to hit our 5-year average of 1.1m sq ft. However, positivity should be taken by the number of deals recorded, demonstrating an active market sub 10,000 sq ft, and we expect the larger transactions to return in Q4 to boost year-end figures.”

Matt added;  “The pace of decision making by occupiers has affected the market, however there are generally good levels of demand and we are therefore confident that take-up will bounce back across Q4 and into 2027.”

Out-of-town office take-up was 182,281 sq ft, made up of 54,137 sq ft in Salford Quays & Old Trafford and 128,142 sq ft in South Manchester.

The quarter saw two notable larger transactions complete.  Siemens plc acquired 36,922 sq ft at Towers Business Park in Didsbury whilst in Salford Quays, AM London leased 31,250 sq ft at Centenary House.

John Nash, Director at Canning O’Neill commented: “The out-of-town take-up for the period has been very much in line with the quarterly average over the last five years across both markets, so it’s fair to describe it as a steady and resilient market.”

On the supply side, he added: “A number of office buildings are continuing to be repurposed for alternative uses, creating a more balanced market and reducing the volume of secondary stock. As occupiers remain focused on quality, this is providing greater confidence for landlords to invest, refurbish and reposition space to meet evolving occupier requirements.”

MOAF was formed in 2009, and members include Avison Young, Carter Jonas, CBRE, Colliers International, Canning O’Neill, Cushman & Wakefield, Edwards Property Consultants, Fisher German, Hallam Property Consultants, JLL, Knight Frank, LSH, OBI, Savills, and Sixteen.