Green light for new offices paves way for Knutsford tech company’s future growth

Bruntwood Works has been given the go-ahead for a new, purpose-built office space at Booths Park in Knutsford. Booths Park 6, will be developed for Knutsford-based cybersecurity business, PortSwigger, following a period of huge growth.

The building, which will comprise more than 65,000 sq. ft. of floor space across two storeys on the Bruntwood Works-owned business park, has been given planning consent by reserved matters.

The scheme includes landscaped garden areas that complement the local surroundings, and key features such as collaborative workspaces, health and wellbeing facilities, showers and a restaurant.

Its approval will allow PortSwigger to implement ambitious growth plans which involve increasing their workforce up to 350 / 400, placing talent development at the top of their agenda.

The firm, which is currently based at Victoria Court, Knutsford, is working closely with Bruntwood Works and Calderpeel Architects on the scheme, with work set to begin January 2020 with completion expected by March 2021.

Dafydd Stuttard, CEO of PortSwigger, said: "We're delighted to have received planning approval for our new offices at Booths Park. This development will establish Knutsford as a centre of technical excellence in the North West region, and lead to a large number of high-value jobs, including software engineers, researchers, technical product specialists, and journalists."

Set in 220 acres of scenic parkland, Booths Park is a thriving business community of start-ups, growing businesses and established brands, including Amec, Velcro, De Poel and Mastercard.

Complete with two fishing lakes, jogging route, football pitch and cricket ground, the estate offers companies a vast selection of amenities on site, coupled with a robust business support package to facilitate their growth.

Sharon Johnson, head of commercial at Bruntwood Works, said: “We’re extremely excited to be welcoming PortSwigger to Booths Park at what is a real milestone in its journey. Booths Park is home to a vibrant community of businesses of all sizes, with outstanding facilities in contemporary offices, and we’re confident it’s the ideal location for the company to truly thrive.

“Working together, we’ve created a workspace that has collaboration and community at its core, values which perfectly align with those of Dafydd and his team and, indeed, with us as a business.

“We’re looking forward to making a start on the scheme and playing a key role in what is set to be a bright future for PortSwigger.

Acting on behalf of PortSwigger, David Laws, Partner at Matthews and Goodman, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Portswigger to remain in Knutsford and continue to grow their business from strength to strength in a striking, purpose built workplace in a picturesque and highly regarded business park.

“With staff engagement and wellbeing at the heart of the requirement, the whole team have worked immensely hard to create an exceptional modern workplace that will allow the business to attract and retain the very best people. This is an excellent deal for the wider South Manchester office market, unequivocally demonstrating that fast growing tech companies do not have to head into Manchester city centre to fulfil their ambitions and growth projections.”