YORKSHIRE Water is relocating more than 500 jobs to Clarence Dock in Leeds to mastermind a £1.9bn investment in the mains pipes, sewers and sewage works across the region.
A newly-created management team will be in charge of massive plans to improve the pipe infrastructure over the next five years, after being given the green light by water regular Ofwat.
The major upgrade will see £85m spent on sewage replacement a
nd millions more to replace miles of pipes from waterworks to taps.
Matt Thompson, spokesman for Yorkshire Water, said the deal was fantastic news, not only for Yorkshire Water customers but for the city of Leeds.
Workers will move next February into Livingstone House in Clarence Dock in what is being trumpeted as the city's biggest letting deal this year.
Yorkshire Water will lease 55,000 sq foot – more than two thirds – of Livingstone House, which will serve as its base for the newly created Asset Delivery Department, consisting of over 500 Yorkshire Water employees and contractors.
It gives a significant boost to the Clarence Dock development, which houses the Royal Armouries, a number of residential developments and designer retail outlets as well as bars and cafes.
Charlie Hayson, head of Yorkshire Water's Asset Delivery department, which will manage the improvements, said: "Our new location will enable us to strengthen relationships with our working partners by bringing them all together under one roof alongside our own colleagues. This collaborative approach will help us to focus more than ever on delivering the challenging programme of investment we have planned over the next five years."
Yorkshire Water will occupy four of the building's six floors, with a cafe planned for the ground floor. Interior design company Carey Jones has been contracted by the company to create a modern working environment.
Philip Jacobs, asset manager at GE Capital Real Estate which owns Livingstone House, said he was delighted with the deal.
