GMB union launches conference hub in business park move
South Yorkshire’s GMB union is to a launch conference and learning centre with its move to Sheffield’s Meadowhall Business Park.
The union, which serves 40,000 members across South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire, is to take 3,750 sq ft at ARBA Group’s recently refurbished multi-million pound business park on Carbrook Hall Road.
The union, which represents close Don Valley neighbours including Sheffield Forgemasters and South Yorkshire Police, said the hub will enable greater interaction with its members through meeting rooms, conference and out of hours facilities and a new job club.
Yorkshire regional secretary Neil Derrick said: “We have outgrown our outdated facilities on Norfolk Street in Sheffield and were looking for a modern building that would suit our staff and members needs for the 21st century.
“Our new space will allow us to have conference and learning facilities for reps in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire and we will be able to open up the building to activists for better interaction with our members.
“Our 12 staff are already looking forward to the move into modern surroundings.”
A fit out will shortly begin to transform the accommodation in Block MBP5 at Meadowhall Business Park, which is being marketed by Knight Frank & Campbell & Co, with an official opening later this summer.
Derrick added: “Meadowhall Business Park is ideally located for our members in Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and North Derbyshire and it was this, and its fantastic public transport links that attracted us to the development.”
Other tenants at the popular 70,000 sq ft business park include Tuffnells, NG Bailey, Auburn Ainsley Limited, Chique Photography, KitchenEx, Preventx, Wilford Smith, Eaton Commercial Property Consultants Ltd and Galaxy Insulation and Dry Lining (Holdings) Limited.
Richard Burns, director at ARBA Group, said: “What was important to us about this development was the flexibility of the space we can offer here. GMB has decided to focus on conference and membership space, while other tenants have created bespoke office or display space. Our focus for fit out is about delivering what the tenants require.
“We are delighted to welcome GMB to Meadowhall Business Park.”
