Whether you’re passing through on business or working remotely from the road, Manchester has become one of the UK’s most exciting cities to drop in and get work done.
With office rents roughly half of London’s, world-class transport links, and a food scene that now rivals the capital, it’s no wonder the city attracts a growing wave of digital nomads, consultants, and business travellers every year.
This guide rounds up five of the best flexible workspaces where you can show up, plug in, and be productive — no long-term lease required. If you’re planning a longer stay and want to understand what office space actually costs across the city, the Office Space Cost Calculator from LEVEL Workspace is a great starting point.
1. Huckletree Ancoats — The Express Building, 9 Great Ancoats Street, M4 5AD
Huckletree occupies four floors of the art deco Express Building in Ancoats, a neighbourhood regularly cited as one of the coolest in the world. For a traveller, this place ticks every box. Day passes are available individually or in packs of 5, 20, 50, and 100, so you can scale to however long your trip lasts. Inside you’ll find hot desks, breakout zones, a podcast booth, a meditation space called the Imaginarium, and a Live Lounge that hosts regular gigs and community events.
The location is a short walk from Piccadilly train station, Piccadilly Gardens, and the Northern Quarter, making it easy to reach from essentially anywhere in the city. Step outside and you’re surrounded by some of Manchester’s best independent restaurants — MANA (the city’s first Michelin-starred restaurant), Rudy’s Pizza, and Pollen Bakery are all within minutes. Huckletree members also get five free day passes per month to use at any Huckletree location across London, Dublin, and Ireland, which is a genuine perk for anyone who travels between cities regularly.
Best for: Creative professionals, startup founders, and tech workers who want community alongside their workspace.
Day pass price: Available from approximately £25 per day via Hubble On-Demand, or direct through Huckletree.
2. Colony — Piccadilly, Jactin House (Ancoats), and Multiple Locations
Colony has grown into a network of six coworking spaces across Manchester, and its Piccadilly location is arguably the most convenient for travellers. Sitting a stone’s throw from Manchester Piccadilly station — the city’s main rail hub — you can step off a train and be at a desk within minutes. Day passes include access to phone booths, kitchen facilities, and complimentary tea and coffee.
The Jactin House location in Ancoats, right on Cutting Room Square, is another strong option if you want to be closer to the independent food and coffee scene. Colony consistently earns top reviews for its friendly staff and productive atmosphere, and the dog-friendly policy adds a welcome touch of personality. Across all its locations, Colony blends industrial-chic interiors with fast WiFi, meeting rooms, and quiet zones for focused work.
Best for: Business travellers arriving by train who need a reliable, well-connected workspace with no fuss.
Day pass price: From approximately £20–£25 per person per day.
3. Clockwise — Linley House, Dickinson Street, M1 4LF
Clockwise at Linley House is a beautifully designed space in a converted former electrical station. With tall ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an industrial-chic aesthetic, it feels a world away from the sterile serviced offices you might be used to. For travellers, the Club Lounge membership offers flexible hot-desking, 24/7 access, and a dedicated business address — useful if you need somewhere to receive mail while you’re in the city.
The location is excellent, sitting along the Oxford Road corridor in the heart of Manchester’s Innovation District. You’re close to Circle Square, Manchester Science Park, and Oxford Road station, with the tram network easily accessible. There’s also a podcast studio available for hire, which is a nice touch for content creators passing through. Secure bike storage and showers make it practical if you want to explore the city on two wheels between meetings.
Best for: Independent professionals and freelancers who value design-led spaces and flexibility.
Day pass price: From approximately £25 per day.
4. Bruntwood SciTech Bloc — 17 Marble Street, M2 3AW
Bloc is something different. Located in the heart of Manchester’s business district, this workspace has earned Platinum WELL certification — the highest recognition from the WELL Building Institute — for its focus on occupant health and wellbeing. That means circadian lighting that adjusts throughout the day, living walls, biophilic design, air quality monitoring, and even sleep pods. For a travelling professional who spends long hours at a desk in unfamiliar cities, these details genuinely make a difference.
The coworking lounge membership starts from £95 per month for three days a week of access, making it good value if you’re spending a few weeks in Manchester. Bloc is part of the broader Bruntwood SciTech network, which connects you to a community of businesses spanning universities, the NHS, and city councils. The location near Deansgate and Spinningfields puts you within walking distance of some of Manchester’s best restaurants and bars — The Ivy, Oast House, and Sakku Samba are all nearby for client lunches or evening wind-downs.
Best for: Health-conscious professionals and longer-stay travellers who want a premium, wellness-focused environment.
Day pass / membership price: Coworking lounge from £95/month (3 days/week); dedicated desks from £295/month.
5. Industrious — St Peter’s Square, 2 St Peter’s Square, M2 3AE
If you want a more polished, corporate-grade coworking experience, Industrious at St Peter’s Square delivers. Set in the Landmark building with a striking double-height lobby and abundant natural light, it occupies one of the most central locations in Manchester, directly adjacent to St Peter’s Square tram stop and within walking distance of Piccadilly Station. Manchester Art Gallery, the Central Library, and the Town Hall are all on your doorstep.
What sets Industrious apart for travellers is its global access membership. For £270 per month, you get unlimited visits to your home location plus discounted access to Industrious’ worldwide network of offices across more than 65 cities. If Manchester is just one stop on a broader itinerary, that kind of portability is hard to beat. The space itself comes with daily breakfast and snacks, weekly happy hours, community events, wellness classes, concierge services, and on-site electric vehicle charging.
Best for: Corporate travellers, consultants, and professionals who need a polished, globally connected workspace.
Day pass / membership price: Unlimited monthly membership from £270; furnished private offices from £1,429/month.
Finding Your Ideal Space in Manchester
Manchester’s compact layout means that no matter which workspace you choose, you’re never far from the rest of the city. The Metrolink tram system connects the major districts efficiently, and most of the locations listed above are within a 10–15 minute walk of each other in the city centre.
For travellers thinking about a more permanent move, Manchester’s affordability compared to London — with office rents typically 40–50% lower — makes it an increasingly attractive base. The city’s three major universities provide an exceptional talent pool, the tech sector is booming (with over 1,000 software companies incorporated in a single year), and the collaborative business ecosystem is one of the most supportive in the UK.
If you’re considering taking the leap from hot-desking to a dedicated office, working with a First Tenant only Office Broker can save you significant time and money. Unlike traditional agents who represent landlords, a tenant-only broker works exclusively in your interest — negotiating better lease terms, surfacing off-market opportunities, and ensuring you find a space that genuinely fits your growth plans.