County’s ‘office deal of the century’ wins a global award
A LANDMARK building scheme has scooped a global award.
Leicestershire County Council has won the accolade for its pioneering 100,000 sq ft office project at Loughborough Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
The NEC award, which recognises excellence in how building contracts are run across the globe, has been given in previous years to schemes as far flung as Peru and New Zealand.
This year the county council scheme fought off competition including a new development at Hong Kong airport.
The council worked in partnership with Loughborough University to create the new building, which is leased to tech giant the Access Group.
It is thought to be the biggest, single-occupier office deal in the county this century.
County council leader Nick Rushton, said: “This award is a phenomenal achievement. To be recognised on a global stage for excellence in delivering large-scale projects and working with partners is an honour and a testament to the hard work put in.
“We are investing in property across the county, and this deal alone is generating £1.6 million a year in revenue which goes directly towards supporting vital front-line council services.”
Councillor Lee Breckon, cabinet member for resources, said: “We are working hard with our money, we are building new workspaces, creating jobs and opportunities and boosting the economy.
“By investing wisely, we have more money to spend on improving our services. I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this project a success.”
From inception to completion, the office at LUSEP was completed in under four years with work continuing safely through the pandemic. The Access group’s new offices will create 500 new jobs based in Loughborough.
Professor Malcolm Cook, LUSEP lead, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award.
“The Access building occupies a prominent position on our science and enterprise park, exemplifying both the strategic growth in our eco-system which encompasses the university and LUSEP, and the collaboration we enjoy with successful businesses such as Access Group. We look forward to continuing this relationship”.
The Access Group, which provides business management software to both commercial and not-for-profit organisations, has more than 35,000 customers.
Founded in 1991, it employs more than 3,000 staff, with a significant number based in the Midlands.
Previous winners of this award include the 2019 Pan American and Parapan American Games Venues in Lima, Peru, Perth Transport Futures Project, Scotland and Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, Foxton, New Zealand.