Expanding property services firm relocates to mixed-use scheme
A mixed-use development located in the centre of Wakefield is set to become the new home of an expanding property support services company.
B38 Group has signed a five-year lease for 6,683 sq ft of Grade A office space at No.2 Burgage Square in Merchant Gate.
Merchant Gate also comprises retail and leisure facilities, 66 residential flats, a new public square, along with a 1,500-space multi-storey car park and a new college for performing arts, which is due to be on site early this year.
B38 Group, which has revenues of around £12.5m, is moving from Denby Dale Road on the outskirts of Wakefield following several new contract wins.
In addition to its Wakefield headquarters, the business has two further operational facilities and depots across the UK.
Property consultancy Knight Frank advised the scheme’s landlord, The English Cities Fund, which is a joint venture partnership between Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England, on the deal with B38 Group.
Sam Jamieson of Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “Merchant Gate, and strategic schemes like it in the city, is changing people’s perceptions of Wakefield. The city, benefitting from substantial investment, a proud history and an excellent location, is no longer in the shadow of its larger neighbour Leeds.”
James Scott, development director at The English Cities Fund, added: “The Leeds office of Knight Frank was appointed alongside the Leeds office of JLL to market the remaining space at Merchant Gate, because of its enthusiasm and superb track record.
“The English Cities Fund is delighted to be able to welcome B38 Group to Merchant Gate, with Knight Frank’s experience and expertise proving invaluable in securing this letting.”
Richard Phillips, co-founder of B38 Group, said: “Alongside an increased amount of self-delivery of services, the last six months have seen the business grow in line with both target and aspiration. We see the move into central Wakefield as an obvious next step to attract more talent who find accessing central Wakefield by train to be advantageous.
“We are certainly on a heavy recruitment drive at the moment and we are seeking to employ local people for a wide range of new and exciting roles. Operating in the hard and soft facilities services fields, B38 Group supply a range of managed facilities and property services to a unique and global client base across the retail, manufacturing and logistics, corporate, education and healthcare sectors.”
The Leeds office of property consultants JLL are the joint marketing agents for Merchant Gate with Knight Frank.
