How much does commercial interior design cost in Manchester?

Design fees in Manchester typically range from £5,000 to £50,000+ depending on project scope. Zero Gravity Design works on fixed-fee or percentage-of-project-cost structures. Contact us for a tailored proposal.

What types of commercial spaces do you design in Manchester?

We design office and workplace environments, hospitality venues including restaurants and bars, leisure facilities and retail spaces across Manchester and Greater Manchester.

Do you work with landlords and developers in Manchester?

Yes. We work with landlords, asset managers and developers on CAT A, CAT A+ and building repositioning projects across Manchester, including schemes for Landsec and Bruntwood.

Which areas of Manchester do you cover?

We work across Greater Manchester including the city centre, Spinningfields, Ancoats, NOMA, Salford Quays, Deansgate, Northern Quarter and surrounding areas.

How long does a commercial interior design project take in Manchester?

Timelines vary by project scale and RIBA stage scope. Concept and design development typically takes 4-12 weeks. Full RIBA Stage 1-4 packages for larger projects run 3-6 months before construction starts.

What services does Zero Gravity Design offer?

Zero Gravity Design specialises in high-impact commercial interiors, delivering tailored solutions across Workplace Design, Hospitality Interiors, Retail Environments, and Landlord & Asset Enhancement. Their team provides end-to-end design services, from concept development and space planning to technical drawings, 3D visualisations, and project coordination.

What makes Zero Gravity Design different from other design studios?

Zero Gravity Design takes a bespoke and collaborative approach, working with a curated Design Collective of interior designers, technical experts, and visualisers. This ensures tailored solutions that align with each client’s vision, brand identity, and business goals. Their designs go beyond aesthetics to be functional, commercially viable, and future-proof.

Who is behind Zero Gravity Design?

Zero Gravity Design is led by Ashley Salmon, Founder & Creative Director, who has over 15 years of experience in commercial interior design. Ashley has worked with many of the UK’s most recognisable brands, landlords, and businesses to create spaces that enhance the way people work, shop, and interact.

How does your design process work?

The design process at Zero Gravity Design is structured yet flexible, covering Consultation & Concept Development, Design Development & Visualisation, Technical Design & Specification, and Project Coordination & Delivery. Each stage is highly collaborative to ensure the final design meets both aesthetic and operational goals.

Do you offer project management as part of your services?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design provides project coordination and oversight, working closely with contractors and suppliers to ensure designs are executed to the highest standard.

Can you assist with refurbishing an existing space?

Absolutely. Zero Gravity Design specialises in refurbishing and reimagining spaces — whether it’s a workspace transformation, hospitality upgrade, or retail fit-out — focusing on both functionality and aesthetics to maximise value.

Do you work with businesses of all sizes?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design collaborates with a diverse range of clients, from independent businesses and property developers to large corporations and landlords, tailoring their approach to suit the needs and scale of each project.

Do you work on projects nationwide?

Yes. Although based in Manchester and London, Zero Gravity Design works on projects across the UK, delivering expertise wherever it’s needed.

Can I see examples of your previous work?

Of course. You can explore their portfolio of workplace, hospitality, retail, and landlord enhancement projects on their Projects page.

Do you incorporate sustainable design principles?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design prioritises sustainable materials, energy-efficient solutions, and responsible sourcing to ensure their designs have a positive environmental impact while maintaining high aesthetic and functional value.

How do you ensure well-being in your designs?

Zero Gravity Design considers multiple elements that contribute to occupant well-being, including ergonomic layouts, natural lighting, acoustics, and biophilic design. Their approach ensures that each space supports productivity, comfort, and engagement.

Do you provide 3D visualisations and virtual walkthroughs?

Yes. They use high-quality 3D renders and immersive virtual walkthroughs to help clients visualise their spaces before implementation, enabling better decision-making and refinements early in the design process.

How do you stay ahead of design trends?

The Zero Gravity Design team stays at the forefront of design by continuously learning, attending industry events, staying informed on the latest commercial design trends, and integrating innovative ideas into their work.

How do I start a project with Zero Gravity Design?

You can get in touch via the contact page or call 07572 417095 to schedule an initial consultation. The team will discuss your project, requirements, and how they can bring your vision to life.

What information should I provide when enquiring about a project?

To help Zero Gravity Design understand your needs, please provide: project scope (workplace, hospitality, retail, etc.), size of the space, budget range, key objectives and brand guidelines, and timeframe for completion. This helps them tailor their approach and provide accurate initial guidance.

How long does a typical project take?

Timelines vary depending on the project scope, but Zero Gravity Design provides a detailed timeline during the initial consultation to ensure expectations are clear.

Do you work with tight deadlines?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design always aims to accommodate client timelines. If you have a specific deadline, they will assess how best to deliver within your timeframe while maintaining quality.

How do I stay updated on your latest projects and insights?

You can follow Zero Gravity Design on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay informed about their latest projects, industry insights, and design inspiration.

Commercial Interior Design Manchester | Workplace & Hospitality Studio

Commercial Interior Design Manchester

Manchester is one of the UK’s most active commercial property markets — and the standard expected of commercial space has risen sharply. Landlords are spending more to attract tenants. Occupiers are demanding spaces that actually work for their business, not just look good on a floor plan. And the projects that stand out are the ones where design, delivery, and commercial thinking arrive in the same package.

Zero Gravity Design is a commercial interior design studio based in Manchester. We work across workplace, hospitality, retail, and leisure — from initial concept through to fit-out delivery. Over 150 projects. Over 500,000 sq ft designed and delivered. All commercially focused, all buildable.

Manchester’s Commercial Property Market — What’s Changed

Manchester city centre has evolved considerably. The days of basic CAT A fit-outs being enough to attract tenants are largely over. The market now rewards landlords who invest in design, and occupiers who treat their workspace as a business asset rather than an overhead.

The buildings that command the best rents — in Spinningfields, the NOMA district, the Northern Quarter, and across Ancoats — are the ones that pair good architecture with interiors that work commercially. Tenants in these buildings expect high-spec fit-outs, considered layouts, and spaces that support how their teams actually operate.

We work across all of these submarkets. Whether you’re a landlord repositioning a floor to attract new occupiers, a developer delivering a CAT A+ specification, or a business taking on a new lease and planning your own CAT B fit-out — the brief is different, but the underlying question is the same: how do you make this space work commercially and get it built on time?

Projects We’ve Delivered in Manchester

We don’t just operate in Manchester — we’ve delivered some of our most significant projects here.

Bruntwood SciTech — 14 King Street, Manchester M2

A full commercial fit-out for one of Manchester’s leading science and technology landlords. Delivered on time, to a high specification. The project required close coordination with Bruntwood’s own team and demonstrated our ability to work within complex managed buildings. Janan Khan, Senior Building Surveyor at Bruntwood SciTech, described Ashley as showing “exceptional professionalism and skill” throughout.

ARNE HQ, Manchester

A headquarters environment for a Manchester-based brand — designed to reflect the company’s identity while delivering a genuinely practical working environment. The brief required creative thinking within a constrained footprint and a tight programme.

Flat Baker, Manchester

A commercial hospitality project that required a strong design identity and careful consideration of operational flow. The result is a space that works both aesthetically and commercially for the operators.

The Railway, Manchester

Bar and restaurant interior for a Manchester hospitality client. Atmosphere-led design, operationally efficient, delivered within budget. A good example of how hospitality design requires different thinking to office design — the brief starts with the guest experience and works backwards.

Media City UK — Blue Tower & White Tower

Two separate projects within MediaCityUK, one of the UK’s most distinctive commercial campuses. Design work that had to align with the campus aesthetic while creating distinct, identity-driven spaces for the occupiers.

These are real projects, delivered for real clients, in real Manchester locations. We’re not generalist designers who happen to be based here — this is our market.

Office Interior Design in Manchester

Manchester’s office market is competitive. If you’re planning a fit-out — whether taking on a new lease, repositioning existing space, or creating a flagship headquarters — the quality of your interior directly affects how you attract and retain staff, how your clients perceive your business, and how productively your team works.

Our office interior design services in Manchester cover:

Space planning and test fits — understanding whether a floor works for your headcount and working patterns before you sign a lease

CAT B fit-out design — taking a bare shell or CAT A floor and transforming it into a fully operational workspace

CAT A+ design — helping landlords create pre-fitted, ready-to-occupy spaces that attract occupiers faster

Furniture specification and procurement — FF&E sourced and coordinated as part of the design package

Contractor coordination and delivery oversight — making sure what’s designed actually gets built

We work in the buildings you’re already looking at: spaces in Spinningfields, First Street, NOMA, Circle Square, and the Northern Quarter. We know what to expect from these buildings, how the base builds typically perform, and what a realistic programme looks like.

Retail Interior Design in Manchester

Manchester’s retail environment — from the city centre and Arndale through to the Northern Quarter independents — demands commercial design thinking. A retail interior that looks good but doesn’t drive footfall or sales isn’t doing its job.

We approach retail design from the operational end first: how does this space need to perform? Where do customers dwell, browse, and convert? Then we layer the creative thinking on top. The result is a retail environment that works commercially and creates a genuine brand experience.

Hospitality Interior Design in Manchester

Manchester has one of the UK’s most competitive hospitality markets. New bars, restaurants, and hotel concepts open regularly — and the ones that succeed do so because the interior experience reinforces the food, drink, and service offer.

We’ve worked on hospitality projects across Manchester at various scales. The brief always starts with the same question: what experience do you want to create, and how does the design need to support your operation? From there, we work through layout, atmosphere, materials, lighting, and joinery — all of it coordinated as part of a single design package.

What Does a Commercial Fit-Out Cost in Manchester?

Cost is one of the first questions clients ask, and one of the least straightforward to answer without knowing the specifics of a project. That said, here are realistic benchmarks for Manchester commercial fit-out work:

CAT A fit-out (landlord-delivered base): £35–£60 per sq ft, depending on specification and building type.

CAT B fit-out (occupier’s own space): £55–£90 per sq ft for a mid-to-high specification office. Budget projects can come in lower; complex, high-spec headquarters environments will cost more.

Hospitality fit-out: £80–£150+ per sq ft, depending on the concept, level of bespoke joinery, and kitchen/bar infrastructure.

Design fees: Typically 8–15% of construction cost, depending on the scope of service. This covers concept design, technical drawings, furniture specification, and delivery coordination.

These are realistic figures, not marketing numbers. If you want a proper budget assessment for your project, talk to us early — the earlier we’re involved, the more influence we have over where money is spent well.

How Long Does a Commercial Fit-Out Take?

A typical office fit-out in Manchester runs to the following programme:

Briefing and space planning: 2–3 weeks

Concept design and sign-off: 3–4 weeks

Technical design and specification: 4–6 weeks

Procurement and contractor appointment: 3–5 weeks

On-site fit-out works: 6–16 weeks depending on scale

In total, a well-run office fit-out from initial brief to practical completion typically takes 4–6 months. Hospitality projects can run longer due to kitchen infrastructure and licensing requirements.

The biggest cause of delays isn’t the build — it’s late decisions and scope creep. Getting the brief right at the start, and making decisions in the right sequence, is where a good design team earns its fee.

Frequently Asked Questions — Commercial Interior Design Manchester

How much does a commercial interior designer charge in Manchester?

Design fees vary by scope, but typically fall between 8–15% of the total construction cost. For a £300k fit-out, expect design fees in the range of £25k–£45k, covering everything from concept through to on-site coordination.

Do I need a designer for a CAT B fit-out?

Not legally — but practically, yes. A designer manages the brief, coordinates the contractor, specifies materials and furniture, and ensures the finished space matches what was agreed. Without one, scope creep and cost overruns become significantly more likely.

Can Zero Gravity Design manage the fit-out as well as the design?

Yes. We offer end-to-end design and build services where we coordinate both the design and the delivery. This reduces the number of parties the client has to manage and typically results in a smoother programme and better outcomes.

What’s the difference between CAT A and CAT B?

CAT A is the base fit-out typically delivered by a landlord — mechanical and electrical services, raised floors, suspended ceilings, basic finishes. CAT B is the occupier’s own fit-out — partitions, joinery, furniture, finishes, and branding. CAT A+ sits between the two: a pre-fitted office that an occupier can move into with minimal additional work.

How do I choose a commercial interior designer in Manchester?

Look for a studio with relevant commercial experience (not just residential or retail if you need an office), a track record of delivered projects rather than just rendered concepts, and a clear process for managing cost and programme. Ask to speak to previous clients. And be wary of studios that lead with aesthetics without discussing commercial outcomes.

Start Your Manchester Project

If you’re planning a commercial interior design or fit-out project in Manchester, we’re happy to have an early conversation — whether that’s a sense-check on scope and budget, a test fit on a space you’re looking at, or a full design brief.

We’re based at Colony, 76 King Street, Manchester M2 4NH.