Trio of deals at Kirkstall Forge Studios

CEG has secured the first three businesses at its Forge Studios following lettings to Smart Buildings, BUPA and Trufe.

The studios were launched on the second floor of the first 110,000 sq ft office development at Kirkstall Forge earlier this year.

Smart Buildings, which is part of ENGIE, the energy, services and regeneration group, has taken the 32-desk Studio 5.

Mark Davenport from Smart Buildings said: “We are excited to be moving in to Kirkstall Forge as this brand-new office space will allow us to really showcase our smart buildings technology.”

Bupa, which currently occupies 24,000 sq ft of Number One Kirkstall Forge, has also taken the 14-desk studio 2, expanding into this flexible space to accommodate a special project.

Trufe, a new, fast-growing financial services company has also moved into the eight-desk studio 1.

Phill Green, founder and CEO at Trufe, said: “Choosing Kirkstall Forge was a big decision, but I am delighted I did. The development represents my business and brand brilliantly as well as increasing our credibility. This is a Grade A development and I’m extremely pleased to be part of the family.”

Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, added: “We saw an opportunity to provide a contemporary and inspiring environment to nurture smaller businesses as well as large corporates within Number One Kirkstall Forge. The Studios also offer flexible, high quality offices for companies needing temporary grow-on or project workspace.

“This, coupled with the clear, easy, swift and flexible all-inclusive leases, means we’ve had a lot of interest. We welcome our first three customers which have a great deal of synergy with the Kirkstall Forge ethos, as our smart and healthy building prowess is proven through the building’s WiredScored Platinum digital connectivity and UK’s healthiest workplace awards.”

Ultimately, the £400m Kirkstall Forge scheme is set to become home to a mixed-use community comprising of 1,050 homes, 300,000 sq ft of offices and 100,000 sq ft of retail, leisure and community space.