The Co-operative Bank expands historic Manchester office space

25 June 2026

2 min read

  • Manchester head office expansion at historic Balloon Street site
  • Reaffirms the Bank’s 150+ year commitment to Greater Manchester
  • Refurbished floor supports future of hybrid working

The Co-operative Bank has expanded its presence at its historic Balloon Street headquarters in Manchester city centre, reopening a newly refurbished floor and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the city.

The Bank, which has been rooted in Greater Manchester for over 150 years, remains the only UK high street bank headquartered in the city.

The reopening brings a full floor of the landmark office back into use, creating modern, flexible workspace designed to support collaboration, events and engagement with partners and stakeholders.

Andrea Melville, Chief Executive Officer of The Co-operative Bank, officially reopened the space on Wednesday 10 June.

She said: “Greater Manchester has been at the heart of our story for more than 150 years, and Balloon Street is a powerful symbol of that heritage.

“This investment is a clear signal of our commitment to Manchester - one of the fastest growing city-regions in Europe - and our presence here remains fundamental to who we are and our future. As part of the Coventry Building Society family, we are well placed for our next chapter - with Manchester continuing to play a central role.”

The refurbishment reflects the Bank’s commitment to hybrid working, with a focus on high-quality shared spaces that enable collaboration and connection.

Balloon Street has long been associated with the co-operative movement - a movement founded in the North of England to give working people fair access to goods, services and financial support. Located close to Manchester Victoria and Corporation Street, Balloon Street’s surrounding area was historically home to the organisation’s warehouses, offices and banking operations.

Today, The Co-operative Bank continues to employ over 1,400 people from its Manchester office and remains closely connected to the region’s business and community networks.

ENDS

Media contact

Sophie McHale

Tel: 0151 271 1985

Email: pressoffice@co-operativebank.co.uk

Notes to editors

The Co-operative Bank p.l.c. provides a full range of banking products and services to retail and SME (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) customers and is committed to values and ethics in line with the principles of the co-operative movement.

In 1992, The Co-operative Bank took the pioneering step to become the first UK bank to launch a customer-led Ethical Policy, which gives the Bank’s customers a say on the ethical issues that are important to them, and how the Bank could help. These answers form the basis of our Ethical Policy, shaping the Bank’s ethical commitments, the way in which it will use customer’s money and the issues it will campaign for. Since 1992, the Ethical Policy remains unique in the UK and has been updated six times in consultation with the Bank’s customers, to reflect their changing priorities.

In January 2025, The Co-operative Bank joined Coventry Building Society Group – a top 10 lender and the 2nd biggest building society in the UK.

Contact

Senior Public Relations Lead

Sophie McHale

Mobile: 0151 271 1985

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