Andy Burnham's proposal to establish a No 10 North in Manchester's Ancoats district has garnered praise but also raised questions about feasibility and cost. The plan involves shifting parts of Whitehall to the Manchester Digital Campus, a development on a former retail park site once home to Toys R Us, Argos, and JD Sports. The campus is expected to house about 8,800 civil servants from multiple government departments.
Ancoats: From textile hub to potential government centre
Ancoats, historically known as the centre of Manchester's textile industry and later for the Sankeys nightclub, is now a trendy suburb with restaurants and bars centered around the city's only serviced marina. Property prices have soared in recent years, and the government move could further accelerate this trend. The new development is not due for full completion until 2032, so Burnham's team is reportedly seeking interim office space in Manchester, with Heron House—a building owned by the city council and currently occupied by GCHQ—as a target. However, GCHQ has no plans to vacate.
Political support and economic implications
Burnham, newly elected MP for Makerfield, has stated he would split his working week between Manchester and London if he becomes prime minister. Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, expressed support for the idea, citing the success of the Treasury's Darlington Economic Campus. Henri Murison of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership welcomed the plan, noting that it could help close the economic gap between London and other major cities. However, logistical challenges remain, including security costs and travel logistics.
Dai Davies, former head of royal protection, estimated security costs could run into millions of pounds, requiring 24/7 protection, technical security, and possibly underground detection systems. A Greater Manchester police spokesperson confirmed they would work with necessary departments on security arrangements. Rail expert Tony Miles questioned how Burnham would commute without disrupting passengers, noting that a typical journey from Manchester to Westminster takes about four hours.
Public opinion and local reactions
A snap poll by 38 Degrees found broad public support for moving power away from Westminster, with respondents from Exeter, Scunthorpe, and Stroud backing the idea. However, some expressed doubts about logistics. In Ancoats, local leaders welcomed the proposal. Green councillor Hussayn Salem said it would be welcome if it meant genuine devolution and local economic benefits. Sanger Ismail, owner of Bee Barbers near the Digital Campus, praised the choice of location. Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Northwood expressed support and jokingly asked if the undeveloped second half of the site could become a public rose garden.
