More businesses move into Holbeck Urban Village

HOLBECK Urban Village (HUV) has welcomed another three businesses to the area.

Carat, a global independent media planning and buying specialist, has expanded its Leeds arm into a 4,313 sq ft office at the Green Sand Foundry.
 
Carat’s Leeds office, which employs 41 people, outgrew its previous office in the city centre and relocated to HUV in a deal secured by managing and commercial agent Creative Space Management, in advance of further forecasted growth in 2014. The company, which has six offices across the UK and more than 70 worldwide, opened in Leeds in 2011 with nine staff. In just three years it has quadrupled its team thanks to a number of high profile account wins including consolidating media planning and buying for Leeds-based retail giant, Asda.
 
Sara Humphries, managing director of Carat North, said: “The Green Sand Foundry is the perfect space for us. The historic foundry building – with its stunning high beams and exposed brickwork – is an inspiring environment and the flexible, open-plan layout has allowed us to design break out spaces and meeting areas which will encourage creativity. There are several media agencies based in the area which we consider to be a positive as we’re working alongside those at the cutting edge of the industry which will further motivate our ambitious team.”

New tenants moving into neighbouring Marshall’s Mill, include event management agency – XSEM – which has moved into a 1,184 sq ft office space and Prism Media – a new digital agency, which has taken 1,743 sq ft on the first floor. The two deals – which were secured by Carter Towler in partnership with Creative Space Management and Knight Frank respectively – take the historic mill’s occupancy levels to 80%.

Igloo Regeneration owns a series of mixed use developments in the HUV area including the Round Foundry, Marshall’s Mill and Marshall’s Court.

Paul Simmons from Igloo Regeneration said: “It’s fantastic to see businesses at different stages of their corporate lives continuing to relocate here – from a global name like Carat through to established companies like XSEM and start-ups such as Prism Media. We’ve certainly seen a change in the market recently with more new start-ups looking for space and existing companies expanding. I think what sets this area apart in Leeds – aside from being a hub for creative industries – is that our range of flexible spaces can both accommodate companies at different stages of growth and then facilitate their on-going expansion.”