Government department takes 25,000 sq ft office in major town centre deal

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is to take almost 25,000 sq ft of space at Princess House in Northampton, in one of the town’s biggest office lettings so far this year.

The letting at the Helmsley Group-owned building will see the DWP replace fellow government department HMRC, which is relocating after 10 years of occupancy at the building in Cliftonville, following the expiration of its lease.

Ed Harrowsmith, director at property investment and development specialist Helmsley Group, said: “This is a landmark property transaction given the present market conditions and we are delighted to have secured the DWP as an anchor tenant at Princess House.

“Helmsley boasts a diversified and resilient portfolio of commercial properties in strong town and city locations such as Northampton and this letting is further evidence of this.”

Chris Drummond, director at TDB Real Estate, who secured the letting on behalf of Helmsley Group, added: “This is a blue-chip covenant and a strong indicator of confidence in the Northamptonshire property market.

“Take-up in towns such as Northampton has been limited over the last 12 months given the uncertainty caused by Covid-19 so this is a sizeable letting in what is still a challenging market. Princess House is now fully let, which is excellent news.”