Travel firm’s new HQ boasts a beach vibe

AN online travel company is transforming a former aircraft factory into an oasis, as part of plans for a new Manchester headquarters.

On the Beach plans to bring the holiday vibes to the city centre after taking a 10-year lease on the Aeroworks building on Adair Street.

Based near Piccadilly Station the multi-million pound refit is under way to build a 250-seater auditorium, games room, beach bar, music room and library.

Staff will get to enjoy hammocks, swing seats and Palapa-shaded tables to reflect the brand’s holiday focus.

State-of-the-art communication and collaboration technology will also be installed throughout the entire space.

Promising ‘a campus style environment’ the Cheadle-based travel firm will relocate the majority of its business operations to the new premises in autumn.

The FTSE 250 company, which has been based at Park Square for the past five years, has signed for the whole of the Aeroworks building, totalling 34,507 square feet.

The move will provide the space needed for On the Beach to realise its growth plans, and expand its digital teams from 200 to more than 350 employees over the next three to five years focusing on development, design and marketing – as well as product and business analysis. This will see the business’ workforce as a whole grow to more than 500 employees.

Whilst the majority of its workforce will relocate to the new building, the contact centre will remain at Park Square, which will also undergo major redesign and refit – again in response to employee feedback - ready for early 2019.

Simon Cooper, chief executive officer, said: “On the Beach is one of the leading technology businesses in the north and the move to Manchester’s city centre – and in close proximity to Piccadilly station - will no doubt allow us to better leverage this position in terms of attracting and retaining the very best talent in the region and beyond.”