 Due to its modern set-up, the agency can host things like school visits, meetings and even yoga classes. However, some old habits die hard and while a quick Google search will give you the office's address, there are no signs outside the building to advertise the agency. Security-wise, the Heron House windows and walls bare advanced protection against a number of potential threats, despite the seemingly open and accessible office space. Two floors are classified 'top secret' and inside the rooms, hundreds of spies come together to work on the same intelligence missions as their colleagues at GCHQ's headquarters in Cheltenham. Heron House has state of the art security software built into its glass walls ( Vincent Cole - Manchester Evening News) Their missions include defending the UK against potential cyber-attacks from Russia and China and digital surveillance of terrorists and organised crime. Liz, GCHQ's deputy){kind=link}
Located right in the heart of Manchester’s city centre is a top secret spy headquarters which is disguised as an anonymous 1970s office block above a Greggs and a Chinese restaurant
Manchester’s most secretive building, Heron House, is home to signals intelligence agency GCHQ.
Inside the unassuming spy office, a hoard of agents carry out the clandestine business of keeping tabs on those who could threaten the safety of the UK.
The agency moved to the northern city in late 2019 and ushered in a new era for spy chiefs due to the digital age.
The office is located in the heart of Manchester on Albert Square and shares the same security rating as most government buildings.