Investment targets digital sector as centre fills fast
The Causeway, the former St James Business Centre in Warrington, is showing signs of recovery after a £5 million redevelopment aimed at luring small and mid‑sized digital businesses. The project, delivered through a joint venture between Langtree and Warrington Borough Council, completed in February and has since secured a wave of new tenants.
So far the centre has agreed leases with 11 new tenants, letting 13,600 square feet — equivalent to about 17% of the building’s total space. A further five lettings are currently being negotiated; if those are finalised, overall occupancy of the 80,000 sq ft property would rise above 80%.
"How people use office space has changed fundamentally since the pandemic and Warrington's economy has evolved too, so our refurbishment was a real test of our reading of the market. We're delighted with the results."
The redevelopment emphasises flexible working and digital connectivity. A central offering is The Co‑Lab, a modern co‑working area providing flexible memberships and supported by ultra‑fast multi‑gig broadband. Since reopening, the site has seen marked increases in casual and event use — underlining demand beyond traditional long‑term leases.
Usage and community benefits
Data supplied by the operator show encouraging uptake of the centre’s shared facilities over the six months following completion:
- Co‑working bookings: 270 since reopening
- Meeting room reservations: up 65%
- Coffee House: new Lymm‑based outlet exceeding trading forecasts, now open at weekends
Tenants point to benefits that go beyond office space. Paul Chadwick, owner of PRISM Studios and an occupant at The Causeway, said the centre is more than a workplace and contributes to a local ecosystem for talent and skills.
"Since we moved to The Causeway, we have been delighted with the facilities and how they have helped support our business grow. It's more than just a workspace, it's a community that genuinely invests in its tenants' success and is one of the key reasons we are here in Warrington."
What the figures show
The following table sets out the headline figures released by the operator since the completion of the refurbishment:
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Building size | 80,000 sq ft |
| Space let so far | 13,600 sq ft (11 tenants) |
| Current co‑working bookings | 270 |
| Increase in meeting room reservations | 65% |
Langtree’s executive director of property reflected that repurposing a large building required taking a commercial risk but that the uptick in demand indicates the approach has resonated with the market.
For Warrington, the project signals a commitment to supporting the town’s shift towards digital and flexible working models. The mix of longer‑term lettings alongside co‑working and events space may help broaden the building’s appeal to startups, scaleups and professional services that rely on flexible, high‑quality office facilities and strong digital infrastructure.
As negotiations progress for additional lettings, the centre is likely to be an important barometer of demand for central Warrington office space in a post‑pandemic market where agility and connectivity are increasingly decisive.
