The Fairy Blood Blog

An announcement made by Barclays Plc Manchester has revealed that the company is moving its commercial banking division to a new business premises at 3 Hardman Street. This office is around 36,000 sq ft including a reception and overlooks Hardman Square. The deal is one of the largest investments made by Barclays in Manchester.

The company will be relocating around 300 staff members from its commercial banking operations from all over Manchester. Around 270 employees will be relocated from five divisions in Salford Quays, Marsden Street, and Mosley Street.

Barclaycard, a division of the bank that deals with credit, had decided on the office relocation as long back as 2005. However, the bank division had postponed a move and will now shift by the end of 2009.

The interior contractors are to begin working on the office fit-out of the property involving the mechanical and electrical design of the office, renovation and architecture; all of which are expected to start by August and will be over before the year ends.

According to Michael Hartig, the commercial director and the head of Manchester for Barclays Commercial Bank, this is a sign of the official amalgamation of the two commercial banking arms of the company. Hartig will be heading this new office.