Yorkshire Water makes a splash at Clarence Dock as profits rise

YORKSHIRE Water is to move 500 staff to a base in Leeds in what is believed to be the city’s biggest letting deal so far this year.

The water operator has taken 55,000 sq ft of space at Livingstone House at Clarence Dock to house its newly created Asset Delivery Department.

The move comes despite a fall in revenues from business customers.

However Yorkshire Water said pre-tax profits for the half year to September 30 rose 6% to £116m.

The group said turnover increased 3% to £437.6m over the period while average tariffs increased by 5.1%. 

The office space, which Yorkshire Water will occupy from February, will house staff and contract partner employees.

The letting agents for the landlord were WSB Property Consultants and CB Richard Ellis.

To read Ian Briggs’s blog on the move, click here.

Charlie Haysom, head of Yorkshire Water’s Asset Delivery Department, said: “Yorkshire Water is a major investor in the region and this move is another example of how the company continues to benefit local economies.

“Our new location will enable us to strengthen relationships with our working partners by bringing them all together under one roof alongside our own colleagues. 

“This collaborative approach will help us to focus more than ever on delivering the challenging programme of investment we have planned over the next five years, to ensure that we continue to offer our customers the very best level of service at the lowest possible price.”

The decision to invest in Leeds city centre follows confirmation from water regulator Ofwat that the company will be allowed to invest a further £1.9bn in infrastructure improvements over the next five years, including fighting flooding and improving bathing water quality.

Yorkshire Water will occupy four of the building’s six floors, with a cafe planned for the ground floor. 

Interior design company Carey Jones has been contracted by Yorkshire Forward to create a modern working environment.

Philip Jacobs, asset manager at GE Capital Real Estate, the owner of Livingstone House, said: “We are delighted that Yorkshire Water has chosen Livingston House and Clarence Dock as the base for their new innovative asset delivery vision, and to have worked with their team to offer the building.”

Yorkshire Water operates out of a number of sites across the region.