New HQ at landmark site for Albemarle’s regional offices

The firm, which has more than 150 stores across the UK, has completed a deal which will see it take the top floor of No 2 Burgage Square at Merchant Gate, which will act as a central administration centre for 72 staff.

The deal was concluded on behalf of the developers English Cities fund, by solicitors Addleshaw Goddard and Ison Harrison acting for Albemarle, through the scheme’s joint leasing agents King Sturge and Jones Lang LaSalle.

Albemarle and Bond will take up occupancy of the 10,000 sq ft of grade-A office space on a 15-year lease at the end of the summer.

Barry Stevenson, the chief executive of Albemarle and Bond, said: “This move will bring a number of benefits for us as a company. The new Merchant Gate development offers us a great opportunity to centralise our administration centre and provides access to a great office space set in fantastic public realm.

“There are also a huge amount of benefits for the business in relocating from Leeds to Wakefield – with obvious savings in property costs.”

Richard Thornton, a partner at King Sturge, who are agents on the scheme, said: “This substantial letting is a major office deal for the city and is a significant milestone for the Merchant Gate development and the wider regeneration in the city.

“Wakefield has a great deal to offer businesses looking to relocate.”