Dean Clough, the 22-acre, award winning development in Halifax, has agreed deals totalling just over 112,000 sq ft during the last twelve months with a further 22,000 sq ft under offer.
This represents more than 20% of the entire 600,000 sq ft estate, signalling a ‘flight to quality’ for occupiers seeking sustainable, destination led workplaces as a ‘return to the workplace’ prevails.
Dean Clough is a hugely historical landmark as the former home of what was once the largest carpet manufacturing business in the world. It houses 16 magnificent Victorian mill buildings that stretch an impressive half mile long with vast public realm and extensive parking provisions, including newly installed EV fast chargers. Over more than forty years it has been sympathetically repurposed to become a landmark destination for business, leisure, retail and culture with more than 150 businesses now on site, employing over 3,500 people.
Several high-profile relocations and growth plans have motivated the new deals over the last twelve months with Activate Group expanding into a new 13,870 sq ft space, Aggregate Industries taking 1,918 sq ft, and global operator Seven Glocon securing a 2,750 suite for its UK base. Ramsdens Solicitors also relocated to occupy a 5,340 sq ft regional office whilst visitor experience design company, The Creative Core, took a new lease for a 1,476 sq ft studio.
2024 also saw Calderdale College take occupation of its new 12,834 sq ft digital creative skills hub specialising in games design, esports, film, and media. The College is preparing to double its student intake this year. 22 further office deals totalling 15,000 sq ft have also been secured whilst a significant 12,822 sq ft of space is currently being regenerated in preparation for a major incoming public sector occupation.
The TV production team for Sally Wainwright’s forthcoming Riot Women series also took occupation of a significant floorspace during 2024. Dean Clough is recognised for its multi-functional spaces and is often used as a media production base having already hosted Marvel’s Secret Invasion, Happy Valley, The Gallows Pole, High Hoops, and Ackley Bridge.
It is also an established cultural destination with its own subterranean theatre and six public art galleries. Last year The Arts Charity at Dean Clough took further occupation of a 7,724 sq ft building to produce a new art installation.
Dean Clough’s workspace offering is heavily supported by on-site amenity and wellbeing facilities that make it a destination for visitors too. New occupiers in the last twelve months include contrast therapy club, Revive Wellness, and an expansion for Hubb Coffee Bars. Lucy’s Little Bake House also moved its highly popular café on site with the need to hire more people to cope with increased customers.
In addition, lease renewals were secured with the UK’s largest online florist, Prestige Gifting as well as Fuel Card Services Ltd and global insurance industry software developer, SSP.
Jeremy Hall, Chairman and Managing Director at Dean Clough Ltd, said,
“We are thrilled to report a hugely positive year for Dean Clough. With our commercial property agents reporting a healthy pattern of growth in market deals, and many employers now advocating a full return to the workplace policy, we are certainly seeing the effects of this. Trepidation through the pandemic, Brexit and the change in Government is also starting to diminish with a renewed outlook on sustainability and wellbeing in the workplace.
“This is where Dean Clough excels. These wonderful buildings provide highly sustainable characterful, energy efficient space solutions. There is also a vibrant and diverse community here, which together with its creative cultural offer makes for a unique proposition. All these facilities, set within this wonderful historic environment, provide the ingredients for a fantastic work/leisure destination, within which enterprise can thrive.”
Through an ongoing investment programme of refurbishment, Dean Clough continues to bring forward new space opportunities for occupiers, from a one-person office up to 55,000 sq ft of Grade A space with 21,000 sq ft floorplates.
Dean Clough is located on the edge of Halifax town centre, between Leeds and Manchester, and just 15 minutes from the M62 with direct train links to Leeds, Manchester, York and London.
