GLOBAL chemical giant BASF is set to move its UK headquarters to Stockport as part of the drive to attract more internationally renowned businesses to the town.
The group has signed up to move into 2 Stockport Exchange in Stockport town centre and is looking to make the move later this year.
BASF has been operating in the UK since 1880 and has 13 locations across the country. BASF companies supply raw materials to most industries including agriculture, automotive chemicals, construction, energy and pharmaceuticals.
Richard Carter, managing director of BASF in the UK and Ireland, said: “We are looking forward to moving our UK headquarters from Cheadle to this exciting new connected location later this year.
“Our new office space in Stockport Exchange will feature open and collaborative workspace to enable new and more agile ways of working.”
The wider £145million Stockport Exchange transformation, delivered in partnership by Stockport Council and national urban regeneration specialist Muse Developments sits centrally in an ambitious £1bn regeneration programme.
This includes a new transport interchange, which will build on Stockport’s connectivity; the Mayoral Development Corporation – the first of its kind nationally – will create a new urban village with 3,500 homes and up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space.
Improvements to the historic Market Place have also created a thriving leisure destination and ambitious plans for Merseyway Shopping Centre will soon be underway.
Council leader Elise Wilson said: “This marks a real milestone in what we have achieved in Stockport.
“Attracting high calibre businesses like BASF to the town centre is what we set out to do and I am thrilled to welcome them to 2 Stockport Exchange.
“The building is looking fantastic and has been finished to a really high standard, complementing our ambitious plans for the town centre, like the Mayoral Development Corporation and the thousands of new homes and business opportunities it will create, the new transport interchange and improvements to Merseyway.”
David Meller, cabinet member for economy and regeneration, added: “Our vision for Stockport is to attract internationally renowned companies looking for, high quality development with excellent transport connections and with all the benefits of a modern town centre close by.
“We are delighted that BASF will be joining existing tenants musicMagpie, Stagecoach, Cafélito and Sainsburys at Stockport Exchange.”
Tom Webber, senior development surveyor at Muse Developments, said: “To attract a market-leading global organisation is testament to the partners of the scheme delivering a high-quality business environment and the increasing confidence in Stockport Exchange as South Manchester’s most accessible business hub.”