Technology firm moves into ground floor of historic Preston building

Insiris, which offers workforce management solutions, has bought 4,500 sq ft of The Union Carriageworks in Guildhall Street off a guide price of £280,000 for the “blank canvas” space.

It has been sold by Etc Urban Developments, which converted a historic 19th century carriage and auto car manufactory into loft apartments with commercial space at street level to create a modern mixed use building.

The sale was completed by Charles Bell of commercial agent Morgan Martin who said this was a rare opportunity for a buyer seeking to fit out their own custom designed offices in the heart of the city and in a beautiful, atmospheric late Victorian warehouse.

He said: “This blank canvas gives the purchaser an unusual opportunity to fit out the accommodation to their own specification.

“A Preston company buying their own space in the city shows the demand is there for quality office accommodation in the city centre.”

Insiris will move from its current Winckley Square offices and will begin the fit-out this month. It intends to occupy part of the offices for itself and is seeking a tenant for the rest.

Neil Thornton, director of Etc Urban, said: “We are delighted to welcome Insiris into The Union Carriageworks. Creating stylish, modern offices fronting onto Guildhall Street is the perfect fit for the 18 loft apartments on the upper floors.”

Insiris is a tech company specialising in solutions that help businesses plan and manage work. Matthew Summers, managing director and co-founder of Insiris, said they chose The Union Carriageworks for their new headquarters because of its city-centre location and huge potential.

He said: “The Union Carriageworks was truly a unique opportunity for us to convert and create a work environment that our staff will love, right in the city centre.

"Grade A space in Preston is rare and the building’s heritage as a former carriageworks has inspired our design team to create a truly unique warehouse style office.”

Matthew Jones at Forbes acted for Etc Urban and Farhan Saleh from Napthens acted for Insiris.