Growing marketing agency puts down deeper roots at former textiles mill

Hub, an integrated marketing agency, has agreed a new five-year lease at the Holly Park Mill as it embarks on its next phase of growth.

Originally launched as a start-up by a team of three at the former textiles mill in 2007, Hub has grown to boast a £6m annual turnover and 36 staff during its 14 years based at the site in Calverley.

The company provides long-serving clients including Leeds Rhinos, Strachan Furniture, Careco, La Redoute and SouthernsBroadstock with support across a range of services such as design and branding, photography, digital design and development, and TV, video and post production.

Matt Welsh, who acquired Holly Park Mill alongside fellow businessman Rob Thompson last October, said the lease extension was a sign of confidence in the mill, its facilities and location.

He added: “Hub is not only a fantastic business but is also Holly Park Mill’s longest serving tenant, so we’re naturally delighted that it is to remain as a key member of our community.

“It has been a pleasure getting to know co-founder Chris Hudson, managing director Helen Hudson and creative director Simon Pluck, alongside their immensely talented team, and we look forward to supporting Hub as it continues to grow and prosper over the coming years.”

Welsh and Thompson have begun a programme of sympathetic renovation of the mill complex, which can trace its history back to 1866.

Welsh said: “We have exciting plans to refurbish older buildings on the site to create much needed out of town office and creative space for SMEs, adding to the mill’s story whilst preserving its history to support early-stage businesses and offer flexible space for growing companies.

“We are passionate about making Holly Park Mill a place where future generations of creative entrepreneurs can grow and develop.”

Phase one of the renovation will see the demolition of an unusable building dating from the 1970s to create additional space for car parking with charging points for electric vehicles.

Hudson said: “Holly Park Mill has always been the perfect location for Hub. It has supported our growth perfectly, especially in areas such as photography and production where we have created dedicated studios.

“As a business we are all about recruiting the very best people. And there’s no doubt that being based at Holly Park Mill enables us to do that.

“Not only is it set in a lovely out of town location, the range of great businesses based here also encourages collaboration, helping us to continually improve the services we offer.”

Currently home to 15 companies, the 2.9-acre Holly Park Mill site offers more than 80,000 sq ft of commercial office space.

Its tenants range across a number of sectors, including creative, food and drink, automotive, recruitment and interior design.