A leading training organisation is following in iconic footsteps – moving to new premises in Brierley Hill once used by glass industry apprentices.
Mercury Training Services is renting the 4,700 sq ft first floor at The Glass Centre, 5 Moor Street, on the edge of the town centre. The deal was brokered by commercial property specialists Bond Wolfe.
The expanding business has helped more than 5,000 students since its launch in 2005.
The locally Listed two storey building, close to the Merry Hill Centre, has prominent architectural features.
It was constructed in the early 1900s and formerly used as a library and technical institute. In the 1960s, Dudley College, in conjunction with the local crystal industry, refurbished the building and set up a centre to train apprentices in glass blowing and associated skills in decorative work.
James Mattin, Bond Wolfe managing partner, said: “This is another example of how character-filled listed buildings prove popular with training and call centre providers.
“We have concluded a number of these types of deals over the last two years and, despite challenging conditions, there is still good demand from companies looking to assist people either training for a first job or helping them get back to work following redundancy.
“We were approached by the landlords for assistance as previous efforts to let the vacant building had been unsuccessful. We have an ever-growing database of possible office occupiers and our ability to match requirements with stock proved decisive in this transaction.”
Some space on the ground floor remains available, with the Bond Wolfe agency team seeking interested parties.
The building has a total floor area of 11,429 sq. ft.
Considered suitable for a wide range of potential uses, individual suites can be rented from 181 sq. ft.
“It would suit small business with scope for expansion,” said Mr Mattin. “And, like with Mercury, would also be suitable for training/teaching facilities.”
Rents are based on £3.50 per sq ft with flexible lease terms available.
Mercury Training Services, operator of the mercurytrainme brand, is owned by managing director Paul Lawton-Jones, a former submariner who has also worked in the prison service.
The company partners with industry bodies, employers and learners, providing a range of development, consultancy and training services to both private and public sector clients. These include mandatory industry courses as well as personal and leadership development qualifications, coaching skills and funded training.
It has worked with international security companies as well as 15 of the UK’s most prestigious shopping centres and some of the largest local authorities, including Nottingham, Sheffield and Birmingham City councils. Mercury provides training to some of the largest facilities management groups including Europa, GBM and G4S, as well as a number of high profile public amenities, such as The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, National Railway Museum and the Photographic Museum.
It is also sole provider of health and safety trainers’ courses for the Skills For Security organisation.
Mr Lawton-Jones said: “Mercury Training Services has a long and established reputation for quality and service, especially within the security and safety markets.
“This is a significant expansion for the business as we continue to grow.”
Bond Wolfe says it is expecting a busy end to the year with several properties, both freehold and leasehold, placed under offer in the last month. These include an 8,000 sq ft industrial unit in West Bromwich, a one acre redevelopment site in the town centre and 12,000 sq ft of commercial space on the High Street.
