Liverpool-based coffee shop operator has signed a five-year lease at one of the North West’s biggest office complexes. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool coffee shop operator Bean Coffee is to open its 17th outlet in the North West.

Bean has agreed terms to open a new outlet at Exchange Quay, one of Manchester’s largest office campuses. It has signed a five-year contract to trade within the ICE building at Exchange Quay. It is set to open in September 2020.

The ICE building was designed to support a “cohesive, collaborative office community” and incorporates 26,000 sq ft of grade A office accommodation together with the café bar, business lounge and communal meeting space.

Office occupiers at ICE, include Riverview Law, Leaders Romans, Philips Trust Corporation, TTI Inc and 11 Degrees in occupation leaving just 40% available to lease.

The outlet will be Bean’s 17th coffee shop in the North West, continuing the firm’s expansion. Bean at Exchange Quay will serve speciality coffee, roasted by them, as well as hot and cold food throughout the week and run as a bar on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Jon Whyte, managing director at Bean Coffee, which already has three outlets in Liverpool’s commercial district, said: “Exchange Quay is a great business community.  We’re very excited about opening and looking forward meeting our new customers.”

Exchange Quay is one of the largest office developments in the North West, accommodating more than 4,000 people.  Located approximately 1.5 miles to the south west of Manchester city centre the scheme boasts its own dedicated Metrolink tram stop.