Vitality opens new Stockport Exchange office, reinforcing town centre’s growing business district

Health and life insurance provider’s move to 3 Stockport Exchange brings more than 1,000 employees into the heart of Stockport town centre

Vitality has officially opened its new office at 3 Stockport Exchange, marking a major milestone for the town centre’s £145m business district and wider £2bn regeneration.

The health and life insurance provider has relocated more than 1,000 employees from its existing Stockport office on Wellington Road to 45,369 sq ft of Grade A workspace across four floors at 3 Stockport Exchange.

The opening significantly increases the number of people working at Stockport Exchange. Once Vitality’s team is in occupation, the working population within the business district will rise from more than 1,000 to more than 2,000 people, strengthening footfall for surrounding retail, leisure and hospitality businesses and adding further vibrancy to the town centre throughout the working week.

Delivered by us and Stockport Council, Stockport Exchange is expected to be one of Greater Manchester’s most successful town centre regeneration schemes. The mixed-use business district sits next to Stockport railway station and combines high-quality office space with public realm, hotel, leisure and amenity uses, supporting the continued growth of the town centre as a place to work, visit and invest.

Vitality’s move is the largest office letting ever secured at Stockport Exchange and the largest office transaction in South Manchester since 2019. The multi-year commitment represents a major vote of confidence in Stockport as a commercial destination and supports the wider £2bn town centre regeneration, accelerated by Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).

Vitality, which also has UK offices in London and Bournemouth, joins an impressive roster of leading businesses already based in the BREEAM Excellent offices, including Britain’s biggest bus operator Stagecoach, music retailer MusicMagpie, global chemical company BASF, leading property company Indurent, and ONP Solicitors.

3 Stockport Exchange is the latest phase of the scheme and provides Grade A office space in a highly connected location, with direct access to rail services, the town centre and wider Greater Manchester.

The opening of the Stockport office completes the modernisation of Vitality’s UK workplace portfolio, following openings in Bournemouth and London. It has been  designed to incorporate features that encourage movement, collaboration, learning and social connection throughout the working day, helping employees maintain healthy habits while supporting different working styles and needs.

Workplace design and build specialist Peldon Rose worked alongside Vitality’s Property & Facilities and Technology teams to create a series of distinctive experiences across the office, including an immersive entrance to the fourth-floor event space, a sunken garden canteen and viaduct-inspired booths and arches that reference the building’s Stockport setting. Details drawn from the town’s textile-making heritage are woven through the design, while the layout encourages employees to move between floors and make use of the full workplace. It is the third office Peldon Rose has delivered for Vitality, following projects in London and Bournemouth.

Ella Woodward, Development Manager, said:

“Stockport Exchange has become one of Greater Manchester’s most compelling business destinations, combining Grade A workspace with excellent transport links, public realm and town centre amenity. Vitality’s long-term commitment is a powerful endorsement of that offer and provides real momentum as we continue to bring forward the next phases of development.”

Luke McClaran, Chief People Officer at Vitality, said:

“The opening of our new office at Stockport Exchange reflects our long-term commitment to Stockport and the North West. We wanted to invest in a workplace that supports our future growth, helps us attract and retain great talent, and create the best possible environment for our people.

“The new office reflects our belief that investing in employee wellbeing can support healthier, more engaged and productive workforces. We’re proud to be deepening our roots in Stockport and look forward to continuing to play an active role in supporting the town’s growth and success in the years ahead.”

Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration and Skills, said: 

“The opening of Vitality’s new office marks a major milestone for our growing business district. The decision to make Stockport Exchange their new home for more than 1,000 staff is testament to the quality of employment space being delivered through our UK-leading town centre regeneration.

“Businesses are increasingly choosing Stockport as a place to invest, grow and attract talent. As more leading employers establish themselves here, it strengthens Stockport Exchange’s position as one of Greater Manchester’s premier business locations, making the area even more attractive to future investment, supporting new job opportunities for residents across the borough and helping drive long-term economic growth.”

Stockport Exchange is being delivered by Stockport Council and Muse as part of the town’s wider regeneration plans. Stockport MDC is driving forward 8,000 new town centre homes and one million sq ft of employment space by 2040. Once complete, Stockport Exchange will deliver up to 375,000 sq ft of office accommodation alongside complementary retail, leisure and public realm.

CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield are retained agents for Stockport Exchange, and Newmark are retained agents for Vitality.