Altrincham, recently named the best place to live in the North West, is set for further growth with a new £2.5m project to expand the Foundation building in the Stamford Quarter.
Trafford council and developer Bruntwood have announced plans to create a new suite above the retail units, with access to be built within the existing Foundation building. The scheme would add 14,215 sq ft of workspace, offering a mix of leased and managed space. Improvements to the building's exterior, including new windows and a new roof, are also proposed. A planning application must be submitted and approved before work can begin.
From ghost town to thriving market town
The announcement comes after years of transformation for the Trafford market town. In 2010, Altrincham was branded a 'ghost town' by the national press, with a third of its shops standing empty – the highest vacancy rates in the UK – and one of its two main shopping centres, The Graftons, in administration.
Today, Altrincham is thriving. This year's The Sunday Times guide named it the best place to live in the North West, with judges describing it as 'classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable'.
Foundation at full capacity
Foundation, completed in the Stamford Quarter in 2024, was once occupied by House of Fraser and is now a 'collaborative workspace and leisure destination'. It has welcomed a number of leading national and independent brands since opening, including global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE and full-service creative and digital marketing agency TGG. The building is now at full capacity.
The wider Stamford Quarter is home to a mix of retail and leisure providers, including LookFantastic's first bricks and mortar store, Søstrene Grene, Oliver Bonas, Lane7 and Nell's Pizza. The two organisations have said a number of new occupiers could be coming to the quarter, with announcements to 'follow soon'.
Commitment to growth
Liz Patel, Trafford council's executive member for economy and regeneration, said: "We're delighted to be able to bring plans for this expansion forward. Subject to planning permission, our aim is to create more capacity for ambitious, forward-thinking businesses - new and established - to base themselves in this vibrant working community, in the heart of Altrincham town centre. One of our priorities as a council is to foster a thriving economy and enabling this growth, to meet clear demand, is just one way that we are working with partners to achieve this."
Sharon Johnson, head of commercial at Bruntwood Places, added: "Since launch, Foundation has seen significant interest from ambitious and established businesses looking for high-quality, flexible workspace in a prominent town centre location. With our track record in Altrincham and across Greater Manchester, we've been able to create an ecosystem where businesses can connect, collaborate, grow and thrive, and it's been incredibly rewarding to see that community develop.
"The demand for Foundation, which has now reached full capacity, has given us the confidence to push forward with these exciting plans and create space for even more businesses to become part of this growing community. This £2.5 million investment reflects our long-term commitment to creating places where businesses can see their futures, while supporting the wider local community and economy."
