DWP takes 34,000 sq ft in Wrexham 

Investor Hurstwood Holdings has let the former New Look store on Hope Street to the Government department, which plans to convert the unit into a ‘Covid job centre’ after signing a five-year lease. 

The job centre has been set up specifically to respond to increasing levels of unemployment as a result of the pandemic. Once open, it is predicted that the facility could help around 750 people a day.

Fashion retailer New Look vacated the 34,400 sq ft Wrexham unit in January, paving the way for the arrival of the Department for Work and Pensions. 

The DWP is to pay £4.65/ sq ft for the unit, which Hurstwood acquired three years ago. Instant Group will run the centre for the DWP. 

Stephen Ashworth, chairman and chief executive of Hurstwood Holdings, said: “Job security plays a crucial role in responding to the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are really pleased that we have managed to turn this challenging situation into such a positive one.” 

Last month, New Look returned to Wrexham’s high street, opening within the town’s former Peacocks unit. 

Based in Manchester, Hurstwood is a commercial investment group with more than £180m of commercial and residential assets across the UK. 

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What on earth has happen to Wrexham ? Oh hang on they had a labour council for far to long ,that explains it all

By Martin

£4.68 /sq foot, no wonder our country is doomed

By Chris

A much misunderstood place – not your average struggling town by any stretch, some very prosperous areas close by, decent employment opportunities too. If its retail offer is struggling that does not augur well for tougher places than this.

By Rich X

I do not know what person is responsible for making these decisions for Wrexham.
All I can say is that I am ashamed and embarrassed to call Wrexham – my Home Town.

By Susan

Wrexham as a town, has some incredible things going for it, the industrial estate, the science park and the very large hospital. The town is practically the gateway to North Wales and as such there is alot of money and wealth in the surrounding areas.

However the LA have destroyed the town centre.

1. A derelict high school left to rot on one of the best bits of land in the town.
2. Removal of the farmers market
3. Allowing the development of Eagles Meadow and Island Green – destroying the Highstreet overnight.
4. An obsession with increasing parking charges
5. Destruction/ sale or adornment of historic buildings
6. A miss understanding of how a roundabout works and why box junctions are a terrible idea.

Wrexham town centre will fester unloved and the surrounding villages will continue to thrive with people popping to Chester to shop rather than go into Wrexham itself.

By Anonymous

Why do the lights have to be on 24/7

By David jones

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