Virgin Media O2 has officially opened its new North West headquarters in central Manchester, marking a major expansion of its long-term presence in the city and surrounding region. The state-of-the-art facility on John Dalton Street, near Deansgate, will accommodate around 1,100 employees and is part of the company’s wider strategy to invest in people, digital infrastructure, and community inclusion across Greater Manchester.
The move comes ahead of the expiry of Virgin Media O2’s Wythenshawe office lease in early 2026. The company has signed a 10-year agreement to occupy roughly half of the Island building, a net zero carbon workspace being developed by HBD, part of Henry Boot plc, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
Among the teams relocating to the new HQ are Virgin Media O2’s multi-skilled customer service units, which handle specialist support including bereavements and assistance for vulnerable customers. The office has been designed to promote collaboration while supporting flexible working policies.
Alongside the headquarters, the company has invested heavily in improving digital infrastructure across Greater Manchester. Over the past year, upgrades to 65 mobile sites have enhanced 4G and 5G coverage, including the installation of high-capacity small cells in the city centre. As a result, more than 14,000 postcodes in the region now benefit from improved connectivity under O2’s Mobile Transformation Plan, which involves around £700 million in nationwide network investment this year.
Virgin Media O2 has also expanded its ultrafast broadband network, investing over £100 million in recent years. Nearly one million homes and businesses in Greater Manchester can now access gigabit broadband services, strengthening the city’s reputation as a leading digital economy in the UK.
The company has committed to promoting digital inclusion through initiatives such as the Greater Manchester Tech Fund, which will provide 1,000 refurbished smartphones to people unable to afford devices. This forms part of a broader pledge to donate 12,000 devices from its supply chain in 2025. Virgin Media O2’s Community Calling Partnership, established with the Good Things Foundation, Hubbub, and the National Databank, has already redistributed more than 26,000 smartphones across the UK.
Rob Orr, Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, said the new headquarters demonstrates the company’s confidence in Manchester and the North West. He described the HQ as a modern, sustainable workspace for employees while highlighting continued investments in mobile and broadband networks that aim to keep Greater Manchester at the forefront of digital progress.
The opening of the new HQ reinforces Virgin Media O2’s role as a major employer and digital investor in the region, combining physical presence with ongoing investment in connectivity, skills development, and community inclusion.
