Colony Fabrica hosts conversation on Manchester’s next regeneration areas

3 July 2025

On Thursday, 19th June, we hosted North West Business Insider’s Manchester New Neighbourhoods breakfast event at Colony Fabrica in New Islington.

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Two weeks ago (Thursday, 19th June), we welcomed over 100 developers, investors, and regeneration leaders to Colony Fabrica in New Islington for North West Business Insider’s Manchester New Neighbourhoods breakfast event.

As a district that has undergone two decades of regeneration, New Islington was the ideal setting for a conversation about the city’s emerging neighbourhoods. Once an area in decline, it now features a vibrant marina, eco park, modern homes, independent food and drink spots, a brewery, and, of course, a growing business community within Colony Fabrica.

A highlight of the morning was a panel featuring Nathan Ezair, CEO and Founder of Northern Group, Colony’s sister company.

Nathan shared his long-term vision for the regeneration of Holt Town, comparing it to the revitalisation of New Islington and Ancoats, where Northern Group has played a major role since the late 1990s. He emphasised the importance of building lasting, connected communities, underpinned by a 15-20 year strategy for sustainable urban transformation.

Reflecting on the growth of Colony, Nathan spoke about how the idea was initially met with scepticism. Today, Colony has grown into a network of seven thriving flexible workspaces, each helping to shape local identity and community both within and beyond their walls.

Nathan Ezair, CEO & Founder at Northern Group

Other speakers from across the public and private sectors also contributed to the broader conversation around Manchester’s growth, including representatives from Manchester City Council, Muse, and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, who shared plans for key regeneration hotspots across the city, including:

• Strangeways - a transformative Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is set to reimagine this overlooked quarter, reconnecting it with the wider city centre and unlocking new development potential.
• Crumpsall - a new health-led neighbourhood is emerging, anchored by the major redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital, offering a unique model for integrated healthcare and community living.
• Wythenshawe - a council-led regeneration is revitalising the town centre, focusing on sustainability, inclusivity, and the creation of a greener civic heart.
• Manchester Digital Campus - backed by the Government Property Agency, this cutting-edge development will become a national hub for digital public services, supporting thousands of jobs and advancing Manchester’s smart city ambitions.

Hosting this event at Colony Fabrica, itself a product of long-term regeneration in New Islington, was a fitting reminder of what’s possible when vision and investment come together to create long-lasting communities.

We look forward to seeing these ambitious plans come to fruition, while continuing to focus on building a thriving and sustainable community at Colony.

Read the follow up article written by Deputy Editor and Host Robyn Hewson here.

View Nathan's full interview here.