Digital sector fuels Dean Clough lettings spree
Halifax’s 22-acre mixed-use commercial destination has secured close to 20,000 sq ft of office deals following investment in its heritage mill buildings.
The majority of new occupiers are specialist service providers in the digital sector, said agents Savills, Cushman & Wakefield and Walker Singleton.
Greenarc, which provides solutions for commercial, residential, and public sector clients in transitioning to clean energy, relocated to Dean Clough after outgrowing three previous offices in the space of a year. It has secured a 6,000 sq ft suite on the first floor of G Mill with a dynamic new working environment for its teams with room for expansion.
SSP, which provides insurance software, has taken 5,000 sq ft in D Mill. Established for over 35 years SSP has its UK headquarters at Dean Clough with further offices in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific, US and Caribbean.
Online education technology company Frog has taken 3,478 sq ft at the newly renovated 54,768 sq ft Bowling Mill.
Skills business AND Digital has secured the entire 3,204 sq ft first floor of Fearnley Mill at Dean Clough, and rounding off the deals, a 1,500 sq ft unit in K Mill has been let to tech integraTion specialist UMA, which is currently working with the Dean Clough team to upgrade its workspace tech.
Other new occupiers include Crest Employment Services, EZOO, Block Compliance, Kirklees and Calderdale Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Calderdale Talking Newspaper, and movie sounds designer Jameson Leigh.
Dean Clough is already home to around 150 businesses employing over 3,000 people. Major office occupiers include Covea Insurance and Prestige Gifting which both have headquarters on the site.
In 2022, the family owners of Dean Clough announced plans to create more grade A workspace as well new spaces to expand its retail and leisure offering. New facilities include flexi-space, outdoor pods with enhanced public realm, and the reopening of an historic courtyard that is already filling up with new shops and food outlets. Apartments are being lined up.
Chairman and managing director Jeremy Hall said: “We are delighted to secure such a diverse range of new office occupiers and to reinforce relationships with these recent deals at Dean Clough following our dedicated drive to deliver more prime workspaces here.
“There is such a vibrant breadth of amenity on site now, with a fabulously diverse range of cafes, bars, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, therapists, retailers, galleries, theatre and student facilities. With the enviable combination of landscaped space, engaging public realm, and ample onsite parking, we feel that Dean Clough has become even more popular since the pandemic reset.
“We truly believe that a vibrant and diverse amenity and cultural experience – as we have at Dean Clough – is so vitally important in creating the environment that people want to come to and work within. This is a key ingredient in attracting major business occupiers, alongside the indisputable carbon benefits tha the reuse of historic buildings brings for sustainable practice.”
Adam Cockroft, partner at the Leeds office of Cushman & Wakefield said: “Given the quality and availability of office space at Dean Clough, combined with company requirements to attract and retain the best talent, the site epitomises all that is desirable in a diverse commercial environment.”
Dean Clough is located on the edge of Halifax town centre, 15 minutes from the M62.
