Square Gardens – Europe’s largest co-living development – has today announced the arrival of a brand-new on-site Asda Express store.
Created by developer Downing, the scheme is one of Manchester’s fastest growing communities with 1,200 living spaces, located just inside the Mancunian Way between Deansgate and Oxford Road stations and a part of the bustling First Street neighbourhood.
The £400 million development opened its doors to its first residents in September, offering a mix of accommodation options, with renters having a choice of shared 3-5 bed co-living apartments, studios and one-bedroom apartments. It also boasts six high quality retail and leisure units comprising 15,750ft², which are now being marketed to let.
Asda are the first to formally acquire a retail unit at Square Gardens and will bring the retailer’s heritage in delivering outstanding value to the local community, when the latest store opens in 2025.
The new store will continue to bolster the retailer’s presence in inner city locations areas where it has traditionally had less of a presence.
The 4,000sq ft store will create c17 jobs for the local area and will join Asda’s existing 478 stores. Asda opened its first Express store in Manchester City Centre last year, when it opened its sixth standalone store on Oxford Road.
The retailer recently completed the conversion of the convenience stores and forecourt sites acquired from Co-op and the majority of EG Group’s UK business.
The opening of Square Gardens marks another significant moment for Asda as the retailer continues to grow its presence within the fast-growing £40bn convenience and £60bn food-to-go markets.
Asda Express stores stock up to 3,000 branded and own-label products to suit a broad range of customer needs including ‘top up’ shops for essential items such as milk and bread, grabbing lunch on the go or cooking dinner from scratch.
Stores also offer ‘toyou’ & Amazon parcel collection and return services, as well as rapid delivery services.
Chris Walker, MD of Asda Express, commented: “As a business, we have traditionally underplayed within regional and inner-city locations. The opening of another store in the heart of Manchester City Centre,
will ensure we can continue growing our significant presence in the channel, and in the process bring Asda value to more communities like Square Gardens across the UK.”
Amenities at Square Gardens include a state-of-the-art gym and wellness centre, social lounges, co-working spaces and the largest private outdoor gardens and terraces in the city centre.
Renters also have access to super-fast Wi-Fi, a 24/7 onsite management team and extensive shared amenities and services, with all utility bills also included.
John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to announce the upcoming arrival of Asda at Square Gardens.
“Since the development’s launch last month, we’ve been working hard to help our residents settle into their new homes, creating a welcoming community in the heart of the city centre.
“Bringing an Asda Express to Square Gardens is great news and is just the first of a series of exciting lettings, which we are curating to help us cement Square Gardens as a vibrant, sought-after neighbourhood to experience all that the city has to offer.”
