The future of the site had been fiercely debated for many years
16:49, 03 Jul 2026Updated 16:51, 03 Jul 2026
(Image: Copyright Unknown)
It was once known as a troubled area with a “bad reputation”.
But Ancoats in Manchester could now be at the beating heart of Andy Burnham’s government.
The new ‘Manchester Digital Campus’ at the home of the former Toys ‘R’ Us retail store has been earmarked for the new No 10 North that the prime minister-in-waiting has proposed to set up.
Last week, the Manchester Evening News reported suggestions from Labour sources on the exciting new plans for the former Central Retail Park.
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Drone footage of the proposed site for Andy Burnham’s “No10 North” department
The future of the site had been fiercely debated for many years after it was purchased by Manchester council in 2017 and knocked down two years later.
But in March this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave the green light for the ‘Manchester Digital Campus’, which will see 8,800 civil servants be based there, and has been dubbed the ‘Whitehall of the North’.
An estimated 4,900 jobs will be created during construction of the ‘Digital Campus’. Those inside will work for various government departments with a focus on digital work.
The site has been derelict for years(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Last year, the government announced a major shake-up of the civil service which includes moving jobs out of London. Ministers have already announced plans to close 11 office buildings in Whitehall over the next four years, saving £94million a year.
However, the development is not due to be completed until 2032 and, in the interim, Burnham’s team are said to be looking for another office space in central Manchester.
One site that has been touted is Heron House, a building owned by Manchester city council, and currently occupied by GCHQ. It’s understood that GCHQ has no plans to vacate the building.
In recent years, rapid development has seen Ancoats and New Islington become one of the trendiest and most desirable areas to live anywhere in the city. It was also named as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.
Henri Murison, the chief executive at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, has welcomed the idea.
Writing for the paper this week, he said: “No 10 North must be up and running in the early days of Andy Burnham’s new government. Unlocking growth right across the country will require drawing on the talent and experience of those who negotiated Greater Manchester’s devolution settlement and delivered the most ambitious model of English devolution we have yet seen.
The revolution will be Andy Burnham’s contribution to Makerfield. It will also be his enduring legacy to Greater Manchester, having taken the region from strength to strength while renewing his promise to the North: to create a genuine counterweight to London across both sides of the Pennines.”
Andy Burnham delivers a speech at the People’s History Museum(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
However, a No 10 North would not be without its logistical challenges.
A Greater Manchester police spokesperson told one newspaper: “We’re aware of evolving proposals to create a No 10 in the North and we will work with necessary departments to create necessary security arrangements as plans evolve.”
Nominations for the Labour leadership close on July 16. If Andy Burnham is the only candidate he will be formally declared the Labour leader the following day, and Prime Minister on July 20.