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On the Beach, the UK’s leading beach holiday specialist, required a new digital headquarters in Manchester city centre.
The move would bring the majority of its business operations into a central location. Therefore, the workplace needed to support growth, collaboration and innovation.
ADT Workplace transformed Aeroworks, a former 1940s aircraft components factory, into a state-of-the-art digital HQ. Located on Adair Street in Manchester, the building offered 34,500 sq.ft of space. As a result, it provided the scale needed for On the Beach’s next stage of growth.
The project was completed over 28 weeks. During this time, the workplace was shaped around the needs of On the Beach employees. This was important because the plans followed an extensive employee engagement initiative. That process included one-to-one interviews, workshops and online surveys.
Supporting Growth in Manchester’s Digital Sector
On the Beach planned to expand its digital teams from 200 to more than 350 employees over the following three to five years. This included growth across development, design and marketing. Product and business analysis teams were also part of the expansion.
The move into Aeroworks gave the business the space needed to support those plans. It also helped the company compete with leading technology businesses in the North West. Moreover, the city centre location placed On the Beach close to Piccadilly station.
Although the majority of the workforce moved to the new building, the contact centre remained at Park Square in Cheadle. That space was also planned for a major redesign and refit in response to employee feedback.
A Campus-Style Office Environment
The new digital headquarters was designed as a campus-style environment. Therefore, it included a wide range of spaces to support different ways of working.
Features included a 250-seater auditorium and theatre, games room, library, music room and beach bar. The workplace also included open-plan casual seating and lounge areas.
In addition, beach styling and furnishings reflected the On the Beach brand. These included hammocks, swing seats and Palapa-shaded tables. This helped bring the company’s holiday focus into the workplace experience.
State-of-the-art communication and collaboration technology was also planned throughout the space. As a result, the office could support both day-to-day teamwork and larger company events.
Transforming Aeroworks into a Modern Workplace
Aeroworks had previously been a 1940s aircraft components factory. However, through the project, it was transformed into a modern digital headquarters for one of the UK’s largest travel businesses.
The space combined practical workplace needs with a strong brand experience. It supported collaboration, growth and employee engagement. It also created a distinctive Manchester workplace for a fast-growing digital business.
Following occupation, the case study recorded a 45% increase in talent acquisition during the first 12 months. Therefore, the project showed how a well-planned workplace can support both business growth and recruitment.
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The new office was designed specifically for On the Beach employees. It was also shaped by their feedback, which helped guide the workplace brief.
This approach supported the company’s aim to create a more collaborative environment. In addition, the new space helped On the Beach increase its ability to innovate. The project also placed the business at the heart of Manchester’s digital business hub.
Simon Cooper, CEO of On the Beach, said:
“The new space has been designed by ADT Workplace specifically for our employees, shaped by their feedback and will allow us to become more collaborative, increasing our ability to innovate. We look forward to being at the heart of Manchester’s digital business hub.”
The Result
The completed On the Beach digital HQ created a state-of-the-art workplace in Manchester city centre. It gave the business a new home at Aeroworks, while also supporting its plans to grow its digital teams.
Most importantly, the workplace was shaped around employee feedback. This helped create an office that reflected how the team wanted to work. It also gave On the Beach a collaborative, branded and future-focused headquarters in Manchester’s digital business hub.
Planning a New Office Project?
If you are planning an office move, workplace refit or new digital headquarters, ADT Workplace can help. We create workplaces that support your people, your brand and your long-term business plans.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your next workplace project.