Findel unveils £10m education HQ
FINDEL Education, a division of stock market listed Findel, has unveiled its £10m headquarters in the North West.
The company, one of the largest employers in Tameside, has successfully completed a new 55,000 sq ft office development in Hyde.
Findel Education is the largest supplier of education and classroom products in Europe and is part of Burley-in-Wharfedale-based home shopping and educational supplies business Findel.
The move from its previous office in Hyde has been made following a period of growth and acquisitions.
Around 450 people will be employed at the base.
Findel’s chief executive Patrick Jolly said: “This fine new building will play a key part in the future success of our operations in the North West.
“We are very happy to invest in Tameside and look forward to working closely with the council in order to ensure the remainder of this prime site is developed soon in a complementary way.
“We believe that our new offices will act as a catalyst and a springboard for development on the adjoining land, which should prove to be a massive boost for job creation in the Tameside area.”
Executive leader of Tameside Council, Coun Roy Oldham, said: “I would just like to thank Findel Education for their continued support and investment into Tameside. The fact they are unveiling a £10m state-of-the-art headquarters is testament to this and long may it continue.”
The new headquarters is the first phase of part of a 13-acre scheme which has been granted planning permission for a mixed-use development by Tameside Council.
Property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips, based in Leeds, is advising Findel on the new office investment funding together with the disposal of a further 9.25 acres of the site which is now also for sale.
Mike Dove, partner of Dove Haigh Phillips said, “With a long term commitment from a major plc this is a prime investment opportunity.
“With planning permission place and large local catchment for labour and close to the M67/M60 transport hub the remainder of the site is now ripe for further major quality development.”
The new office building was designed by Rone Design and built by GMI Construction. The project managers were Rex Procter.
Findel recently scrapped its The Cotswold Company and Letterbox brands to help save costs. It also absorbed Findel Direct into its existing home shopping business.
