City Council Cabinet gives support to new 31,000 sq ft office scheme

Artist's impression of Bold Lane

Derby City Council’s Cabinet has given the thunbs to the construction of a new 31,000- sq ft office block which has been welcomed by local businesses.

Subject to planning permission, construction of the Bold Lane offices is expected to start in autumn 2018 and completed in 2019/2020.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration and the economy, councillor Martin Rawson, said: “These Grade A offices will be for premier office users. The building will have high quality standard finishes, state-of-the-art systems, exceptional accessibility and a definite market presence which I am confident will improve investor confidence.

“This project will generate as many as 200 new city centre jobs when completed. There has been a need for Grade A offices but this was not being met by the private sector, so the Labour administration has rightly decided to step in and provide the impetus for the first of what we hope to be more quality office spaces in the city centre.

Chris Thomas, director of regeneration firm Thomas Lister, said: “The provision of high quality offices in Derby City centre is important to retain existing businesses as well as attracting new investment into the City centre.

“Given the lack of private sector provision, it is considered entirely appropriate for Derby City Council to take the role of developing its own landholdings to meet this need for speculative new offices, which will attract new businesses, investment and new jobs which currently could not be accommodated within Derby City centre.”

Russell Rigby, managing director of Rigby & Co said: “The lack of high quality offices is a major issue for Derby City centre with suitable sites and buildings being brought forward for residential and student accommodation uses.

“There is a real demand for scheme such as this and I am aware of various enquiries from businesses that will relocate out of Derby City centre without the development of schemes of this nature. The scheme provides a range of suites with on-site car parking which meet the requirements of local businesses looking for Grade A offices.

I am supportive of the City Council acting in the role of developer because the private sector is not currently providing the floor space required by business in the city centre.”

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