All-clear for banking giant’s Cheshire campus revamp

Barclays’ overhaul of its Radbroke Technology Centre near Knutsford is to proceed after it secured the backing of the local authority’s strategic planning board.

Cheshire East’s board, which examines major projects across the borough, unanimously resolved to approve the plans subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

As revealed by Place North West last week, the plans involve the demolition of three buildings comprising 103,000 sq ft, to be replaced by a single 166,000 sq ft building, with the campus being reconfigured to create a “town square” and bring wellness facilities to the fore – around 80,000 sq ft of space is to be “re-greened” as part of the project.

Around 4,000 Barclays employees are based at the 64-acre site, which the bank has occupied since 1972 for tech and operations teams.

The redevelopment project also includes an extensin to Furber House for improved food & beverage and support services, and facade improvements on the site’s larger office buildings.

The bank said that the site has been central to Barclays’ innovation over many years, pioneering ATM and debit card technology, and being central to the development and launch of online and mobile banking.

Graham Bastin, managing director for Barclays and site executive at Radbroke Technology Centre, said,

“For many decades now, Barclays has been a significant employer in the area and these plans represent a strategic and long-term commitment to the site which will have a positive impact for both colleagues and the regional community.

“Our plans focus on the built environment, but what makes this campus so special is its unique setting in the Cheshire countryside. Therefore, our plans seek to accomplish maximum benefits for our existing colleagues whilst enhancing the setting of the site, and recognising its green belt status and its rich heritage.”

Gensler Architects and planner CBRE head a professional team also including Arup, Arcadis, UES and Orion Heritage.