GVA has completed a letting of 40,000 sq ft of Grade A office space at Stoke-on-Trent’s landmark No. 2 Smithfield to the Davies Group.
The completion of this deal means that GVA has now fully let the entire 80,000 sq ft of office space available in the building.
An award-winning service provider, the Davies Group has taken a 10 year lease on the third and fourth floors of No. 2 Smithfield and will relocate from its current premises at Telecom House in Hanley.
GVA was appointed as the sole letting agent for the scheme by Stoke City Council in 2016 and previously completed the letting of the first and second floors – totaling 40,000 sq ft – to Water Plus.
Alongside No. 1 Smithfield, which is primarily occupied by the city council, No. 2 Smithfield forms part of the first phase of the wider 1.2 million sq ft mixed-use Smithfield masterplan.
No. 2 Smithfield was designed to include open-space floorplates set around a full height atrium, and the ground floor offers retail space and an impressive reception area with meeting and conference facilities.
Andrew Venables, GVA, said: “No. 2 Smithfield offers attractive commercial space which has given a focal point to this truly landmark development and to have let all of the office space in the building to two substantial occupiers is a fantastic sign of success for the local market.
“No. 2 Smithfield has set a new standard for commercial development in the city, and there isn’t anything comparable in terms of quality to let in the area. The fact that we have secured two lettings of 40,000 sq ft speaks volumes for the confidence in the area as a strong location for businesses, and shows that it is possible to attract businesses of this calibre to Stoke-on-Trent’s new business quarter.”
Mark Grocott, Davies Group, said: “We wanted our new home to match our principles as a modern, forward-thinking business, and No. 2 Smithfield is the perfect place for us to start the next chapter of our business.
“The space is ideally designed, giving us a modern business environment that’s in tune with our aspirations. It is much more efficient and a space like this – combined with proximity to amenities – will undoubtedly help us to retain and attract key staff. We’re looking forward to relocating and getting started in our new home.”
Councillor David Conway, leader of the city council, said: “I really am delighted that Davies Group are joining us at Two Smithfield, meaning that office space in both buildings is now fully occupied for the first time since they were built. We’ve put in a lot of effort and hard work to get to this stage, to give the best possible return for the taxpayer and the city from the development.
“The company have told us they probably would have had to move the jobs out of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire had this office space at Two Smithfield not been available. That would have been a huge blow to the city, so it’s a real win for everyone that these jobs are staying here. They could have moved their business anywhere but they are staying in Stoke-on-Trent because the city had available the kind of high-quality office building they were looking for to grow and expand their operation. It shows businesses have real confidence to invest in Stoke-on-Trent, a city on the up, and further underlines the city as a great place to do business.”
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, the city council’s cabinet member for regeneration, transport and heritage, said: “The fact the company is not only staying but is investing in Stoke-on-Trent is a huge endorsement for our city and proves we are an attractive opportunity for businesses. Having office space in both of the Smithfield buildings now fully occupied is really positive. It’s providing a huge boost to footfall in Hanley, which in turn is good for shops and businesses.”
Vodafone, Bet 365, Michelin, Royal Doulton, Unilever, Screwfix and JCB are among the businesses who already call Stoke home.