Firesprite to exit 50,000 sq ft Liverpool hub
Less than four years after signing an 11.5-year lease at CERT’s Duke & Parr, the Sony-owned firm is vacating the space and looking to sub-let the whole building.
The space is coming back to the market after Firesprite conducted an analysis of its workspace needs. It is understood staff who need a Liverpool base will be accommodated within Sony’s space on Old Hall Street.
The move comes after Sony announced in 2024 it would be cutting 8% of its global workforce, including Firesprite staff in Liverpool and London.
The 50,000 sq ft deal Firesprite inked in October 2022 was Liverpool’s largest for several years and followed CERT’s comprehensive refurbishment of the former Bibby Line HQ on Duke Street to create what is now branded Duke & Parr.
The project was supported by a £5m loan from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which CERT has repaid in full. CERT tried to sell the asset in 2023, seeking offers of £9.9m, but pulled the sale soon after.
Worthington Owen is marketing the space. Firesprite was contacted for comment.
Not a good look is it? Lovely building in central Liverpool, more vacant office floorspace.
By Anonymous
Fine, historic building, in a lively area,fingers crossed new tenants are found. Maybe it’s appearance would be enhanced if the surface car park next door was developed, it was meant to be a good looking hotel but the client pulled out.
By Anonymous
With the loss of Avalanche Studios, BT, Castore, KPMG, etc from the city, this is more bad news. Meanwhile we have the local politicians and the BID travelling across the world ignoring the issues on our doorstep. Years ago we had a local government (plus mersey partnership etc) who used to fight to retain local jobs, now we just wave them off whilst trying to work out if we can have a bendy bus or not.
By Pool A
I remember all of the upbeat comments when they moved in . How quickly things change and not for the better sadly.
By Anonymous
Maybe Steve could take train to Manchester to pusuade some employers to move to Liverpool. Office rents are much lower, emphasise enhanced profits.
By Anonymous
Pool A is bang on. The key failing (and there are others) is the public sector (in its various guises) inability to market Liverpool as a business location. Period. The inherent potential is immense.
By Invested
Not a surprise. Bought out by Sony quickly after they moved here. Given they already have a significant holding already this makes sense.
By Anonymous
It probably didn’t fit in with their image. They would never have gone their if Liverpool had had grade A office in the business district
By George
I believe its more to do with how Sony are run rather than a local problem.
By Just saying?
Was the building and location on Duke Street the right fit for a tech company? 5000sq m is reasonably sizeable but a converted, modest period building on a back street seems an unusual choice.
By Anonymous
Modern working methods need less and less space. Just hope it doesn’t hand around empty for too long. Sad we can’t convince some of the companies that emigrated from here to Mcr to return
By Sam