Virgin Media O2 has officially opened its new multi-million-pound North West headquarters in central Manchester, marking a significant expansion of its long-term commitment to the city and the wider region.
The new office, located on John Dalton Street just off Deansgate, will be home to around 1,100 employees and forms part of a broader strategy to invest in people, digital infrastructure and community inclusion across Greater Manchester.
The move follows a review of the company’s property footprint ahead of the expiry of its Wythenshawe office lease in early 2026. Virgin Media O2 has signed a 10-year agreement with Island, a net zero carbon workspace being developed by joint venture partners HBD (part of Henry Boot plc) and Greater Manchester Pension Fund, taking around 50 per cent of the new building.
Among the teams relocating to the new HQ are Virgin Media O2’s multi-skilled customer service teams, which provide specialist and bespoke support for customers, including those handling complex and sensitive cases such as bereavements and support for vulnerable individuals. The new space has been designed to support collaboration while aligning with the company’s flexible working policies.
Alongside the new headquarters, Virgin Media O2 has continued to invest heavily in the region’s digital infrastructure. Over the past 12 months, the company has upgraded its 4G and 5G mobile network at 65 locations across Greater Manchester, including the deployment of high-capacity small cells in the busy city centre.
As a result, people and businesses in more than 14,000 postcodes across the region are now benefitting from improved mobile connectivity. These upgrades form part of O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which will see around £700 million invested this year to future-proof its national mobile network.
The operator has also invested more than £100 million in recent years to expand and upgrade its ultrafast broadband network in Greater Manchester. Nearly one million homes and businesses across the city region can now access Virgin Media O2’s gigabit broadband services, reinforcing Manchester’s position as a leading digital economy in the UK.
Virgin Media O2’s investment extends beyond infrastructure into digital inclusion initiatives. Through its partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the company has committed to donating a further 1,000 refurbished smartphones via the Greater Manchester Tech Fund to people who cannot afford access to digital devices.
The initiative forms part of Virgin Media O2’s wider pledge to donate 12,000 devices from its supply chain in 2025. Delivered through the Community Calling Partnership with environmental charity Hubbub and the National Databank, the scheme — founded by Virgin Media O2 and the Good Things Foundation — has already rehomed more than 26,000 smartphones nationwide.
Rob Orr, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, said the new HQ underlines the company’s confidence in Manchester and the North West.
“Manchester is a thriving hub for innovation and creativity, and we’re proud to deepen our connection to the region with this significant investment,” he said. “Our new North West HQ at Island will provide a modern, sustainable space for our people to collaborate and deliver for customers, while our continued upgrades to mobile and broadband networks ensure Greater Manchester remains at the forefront of digital progress.
“These investments reflect our long-term vision to support local communities, power the digital economy and create a future-ready network for everyone.”
The opening of the Manchester HQ cements Virgin Media O2’s role as a major employer and digital investor in the region, combining physical presence with sustained investment in connectivity, skills and inclusion.
