Press release -
HMRC secures presence in Nottingham through lease at Unity Square
Nottingham’s Unity Square development is set to become the new location for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The modern, high quality development will be situated on Queensbridge Road in the city centre. Playing host to HMRC’s Nottingham Regional Centre, it is set to open in summer 2021 and accommodate around 4,000 full-time equivalent employees.
In November 2015, the department outlined a ten-year transformation programme to create a tax authority fit for the future, committing to high-quality jobs and the creation of 13 new regional centres, serving every nation and region in the UK. Unity Square is the final regional centre location to be announced and marks an important milestone in delivering HMRC’s Locations Programme.
Jon Thompson, HMRC’s Chief Executive, said:
“Signing the lease for the Unity Square development means we are retaining our presence in Nottingham city centre and creating a modern working environment for around 4,000 members of our staff.
“The Nottingham Regional Centre is the final of HMRC’s 13 regional centres to be announced – helping to create a tax authority fit for the future. It will be an impressive location for our colleagues, bringing teams together and promoting closer working relationships to increase our effectiveness in collecting taxes.”
HMRC has signed an agreement to lease the entire 10-storey Unity Square development (276,632 sq. ft.) for a 25-year period. It will be located directly opposite both Nottingham’s train and tram stations and is within a ten-minute minute walk of the vibrant city centre.
Minister for Implementation, Oliver Dowden, said:
"The regional Hubs programme is a key element of the Government Estate Strategy. Enabling civil servants to work in smarter, flexible spaces will allow government to attract and retain people from diverse backgrounds - while providing good-quality jobs and economic growth across the region.
"I'm delighted HMRC is signing this lease today, which establishes Nottingham as a key regional centre as part of this ambitious programme, ensuring value for money for taxpayers by making the most efficient use of our estate."
The Nottingham Regional Centre is part of the Government Property Agency’s initiative to transform the government estate. Their aim is to drive efficiencies for the taxpayer, boost the UK economy by freeing up much needed land and property, and provide a modern working environment for civil servants
Councillor Jon Collins, Leader of the City Council, said:
“This is excellent news for Nottingham, and confirms our assertion that this is a thriving place to live and work. Given HMRC’s new commitment to regional bases, a new office block close to Nottingham Station is a real opportunity and we look forward to welcoming staff commuting in from other cities either via the revamped Station, our world class public transport system or our various park and ride sites.
“The City Council is working hard to transform the southern part of the city centre, with the redevelopment of Nottingham Station, Station Street, Trent Street and the forthcoming £250m Broadmarsh redevelopment programme. In doing so, we are attracting private investment, such as at Unity Square, City Buildings on Carrington Street and the Island Site, as well as major employers like HMRC, which shows promise for the future. We hope to see a wider cluster of development activity around this complex and the new southern side of the city centre on the back of this announcement.
“We know Nottingham is a valuable site for HMRC at present and it is a real compliment to the city that they will be expanding here and taking advantage of our strong professional services sector, which will enhance HMRC’s business and build Nottingham’s reputation as a regional hub for this type of work.”
Notes for Editors
1. The building will be subject to a 25 year lease on around 276,632 sq. ft. of office space.
2. HMRC has secured the following locations for its other regional centres:
- Scotland – 1 Sibbald Walk, Edinburgh – due to open in 2020
- Scotland – 1 Atlantic Square, Glasgow – due to open in 2021
- Northern Ireland – Erskine House, Belfast – due to open in 2019/20
- Yorkshire and the Humber – 7 and 8 Wellington Place, Leeds – due to open in 2020/21
- North East – Existing site at Benton Park View, Newcastle
- North West – India Buildings, Liverpool – due to open in 2020
- North West – 3 New Bailey, Manchester – due to open in 2022
- East Midlands – Unity Square, Nottingham – due to open in 2021
- West Midlands – 3 Arena Central, Birmingham – due to open in 2020/21
- Wales – 6 Central Square, Cardiff – due to open in 2020/21
- South West – 3 Glass Wharf, Bristol – due to open in 2019
- London, East and South East – 14 Westfield Avenue, Stratford – due to open in 2020/21
- London East and South East – 1 Ruskin Square, Croydon – opened July 2017
3. HMRC will retain the Castle Meadow site until the regional centre opens.
4. HMRC and GPA instructed JLL to undertake a comprehensive search of Nottingham, and the Unity Square development was found to be by far the most suited and cost effective.
5. Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities Ltd. are developing Unity Square as a joint venture.
6. The lease payments on the new HMRC Nottingham Regional Centre will be taxable in the UK.
7. HMRC is satisfied the deal represents the best value for money for the taxpayer.
8. HMRC made an announcement in November 2015 about the location of all the Regional Centres.
9. HMRC’s Flickr site www.flickr.com/hmrcgovuk
Topics
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the UK’s tax authority.
HMRC is responsible for making sure that the money is available to fund the UK’s public services and for helping families and individuals with targeted financial support.
