UKREiiF | MoD confirmed as tenant for Blackpool’s next civil service hub
With the paint just about dry on the DWP’s 215,000 sq ft town centre hub, Vinci Building has begun building a 53,000 sq ft for 1,100 Ministry of Defence workers.
The project is being managed by Muse, Blackpool Council’s development partner for Talbot Gateway. Once complete in 2027, the building will house more than 1,000 staff from the MoD’s Defence Business Services department.
Blackpool Council announced the start of construction at UKREiiF today.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better.
“We’re very grateful to government for recognising Blackpool’s economic potential and continuing to invest and help us create quality jobs for local people.”
She added: “Officers from both the council and government have worked exceptionally hard to make this deal possible. With over 8,000 workers and students coming to the town centre in the next few years, this provides a phenomenal opportunity and confidence for local businesses to continue to invest and hire more local people.”
The DBS project is being delivered as part of a £5.1bn investment by the MoD to improve its estate. The new building, located on the former Apollo site next to Blackpool North station, will allow the DBS to relocate from elsewhere in Blackpool.
Ross Porter, defence infrastructure organisation programme manager, said:
“After several years of pre-construction work and a huge collaborative effort from all parties involved, progressing this project to the construction stage is a great milestone to reach.
“We’re very much looking forward to delivering a first-class office facility for MOD staff in the area, as part of the Defence Estates Optimisation Portfolio.”
Alan McBride, technical director at Muse, said: “It’s great to see work commencing on phase five of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration.
“This future-proofed, sustainable workspace for the Civil Service will bring increased footfall into the town centre, spur further economic growth in the heart of Blackpool, and build on the momentum we’ve generated alongside our long-standing partners, Blackpool Council, for more than 15 years.”
