Issue date: 20 March 2000

Contact:
Amanda Fisher, citib@se 020 7808 7444
Alex Kane, Spada 020 7269 1430

Statistics show that Manchester city centre works for business start ups

UK top five business centre operator, citib@se, today revealed statistics that support the view that Manchester city centre is an attractive location for start-up businesses from a wide range of industries.

As part of a wider drive by citib@se to provide more transparent information on the service office sector, they have released statistics that for the first time outline office usage according to business sector across their national network of centres.

citib@se Manchester at 40 Princess Street, which re-opened in September last year after a £250,000 refurbishment, is currently home to a number of firms operating in the business services, IT, financial services and retail and leisure sectors.

David Joseph, Director of citib@se, said: "The diversity of business types in citib@se Manchester contrasts strongly with some of our other centres, such as Cambridge and Bewdley, where we see strong evidence of the IT industry dominating the local economy. This can only be a good thing for Manchester."

citib@se business centres are designed specifically for small and medium sized businesses. The Manchester centre comprises 50,000 sq ft and is split into 120 office suites.

David Joseph said: "Many start-ups and small businesses can be put off by the idea of city centre rents. However serviced office centres are an ideal incubation environment and our statistics show that this view is shared by businesses from a variety of sectors in Manchester.

"We are witnessing a broad range of clients coming through our doors at citib@se Manchester and going on to make great successes of their businesses."

A selection of the statistics for citib@se Manchester are as follows:

Notes for Editors
For further information, please contact:
Amanda Fisher (corporate) citib@se plc 120 Wilton Road London SW1V 1JZ Tel: 020 7808 7444 Fax: 020 7808 7028		Alex Kane (press) Lion House 72-75 Red Lion Street London WC1R 4NA Tel: 020 7269 1430 Fax: 020 7269 1440
Editors’ Notes • citib@se manages a fast-growing, national network of business centres. It operates centres nationwide in Birmingham, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Leicester, Bewdley, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Kenilworth. • citib@se operates business centres with five-star service and state-of-the-art telecommunications technology. The offices provide an environment that previously had only been available to large, well-established companies. Should you require any further information please contact: Lisa Watson citib@se plc Vigilant House 120 Wilton Road London SW1V 1JZ Tel: 020 7808 7006 Fax: 020 7808 7028 Email: lisawatson@citibase.co.uk