Co Operative Bank funds new Unison HQ
THE Co-operative Bank in Birmingham has dealt with one of its biggest ever deals – providing the bulk of funding for a new multi-million pound national centre for trade union Unison.
The new national centre is being constructed close to the public sector union’s existing head office on Euston Road in London and is due to open by the end of 2010.
The Birmingham office of law firm Hammonds provided legal advice to The Co-operative Bank and the Midlands office of property agents Colliers International acted as building monitor.
Chris Sallnow, Regional Corporate Manager at the Birmingham Corporate Banking Centre of The Co-operative Bank, pictured second from right, said: “This is one of the most significant projects that our centre has funded.”
The remainder of the funding has been supplied by trade union-owned Unity Trust Bank, a specialist bank for unions, charities, credit unions, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
Steve Tasker, Director of Finance at Unison, pictured fourth from left, said: “We have an excellent long-term relationship with Unity Trust Bank, as well as introducing The Co-operative Bank to the deal. Both parties worked well together to deliver the funding required without excessive bureaucracy and on competitive terms.”
The 75,000sq ft development on the site of the former Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital will provide state-of-the-art office space in two buildings for Unison’s 300-plus staff.
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The Grade II-listed hospital – built as a specialist hospital for women by the Victorian medical pioneer Elizabeth Garrett Anderson – has been sensitively restored and is linked to a new office building by a glass atrium.
The one acre site also features 47 apartments and two and four-storey mews houses to provide affordable accommodation for key workers and exhibition space to commemorate the life and work of the medical pioneer.
Kevin Moran, Unison’s Relationship Manager at Unity Trust Bank, pictured fifth from left, said: “Having enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Unison, we were delighted to introduce The Co-operative Bank and to be able to assist in the funding of this prestigious building for one of the UK’s premier unions.”
