Chatloop raises £1m and secures base in Ancoats

Social media disruptor Chatloop has raised £1 million and will move its growing workforce into Huckletree’s flex space within the Express Building in Ancoats.

Chatloop, which is set to re-invent the way people browse the internet by enabling them to start conversations anywhere on the web, has taken 21 desks in a bid to support the company's expansion.

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It comes after workspace operator Huckletree recently announced that it had expanded by an extra 11,500 sq ft in the iconic Express Building.

Level, which solely represents tenants, secured Chatloop’s new office deal.

Chatloop Founder and CEO Andrew Barlow said: “We’re very pleased to announce that Huckletree’s new space in the Express Building will be Chatloop’s home.

“It comes after some seriously hard work from our team and partners over the past two years. We’ve built the next generation of social platforms and one that truly transforms the way people, consumers and brands connect online. In the end Huckletree’s new space in the Express Building was an easy choice and made easy by Level. The company provided top level strategic real estate advice and also opened up its network to Chatloop. It’s an exciting time as we are on the cusp of launching Chatloop to the public and we are looking forward to our next phase of expansion and growth.”

Level was founded by property entrepreneur Joe Averill earlier this year.

The company is on a mission to equalise the office market and prides itself on representing tenants, not landlords.

Level has already secured leases for fast growth innovative firms including Modern Milkman, GigPig, Kitman Labs, Fairmont Recruitment and Venditio.

Joe Averill:

“Chatloop is a fast growing tech company that Manchester will be proud of if it isn’t already. For any start-up, scale-up, SME or enterprise, it is vital that they find a space that works for their people. The Huckletree space within the Express Building is a great fit and I’m confident that Chatloop will achieve great success from there.”

Huckletree’s new 11,500 sq ft has reached over 80% occupancy and houses brands including community-driven marketplace, Depop, and online food retailer Musclefood.

Gabriela Hersham, co-founder and CEO of Huckletree, said: “We see so much potential in the Manchester market, especially now. Having innovative businesses like Chatloop choose flex over traditional options at this critical stage of their expansion signals that spaces like Huckletree are in high demand for high-growth companies navigating the new reality of work.

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“We are proud to be the chosen headquarters to some of the most exciting tech and creative brands out there, and to be the place where entrepreneurs and their teams lay the groundwork for success and growth. We look forward to welcoming the Chatloop team to our global member community and seeing the collaboration and impact they make.”

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