Watson Batty on target for future growth

Research last year found that the biggest four online shopping markets in the world - UK, US, Germany and China - will double in size over the next three years, expanding the size of the market to £645bn.

Leeds-based Watson Batty Architects, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, plans to target more companies as demand for distribution space rises in line with this growth.

Managing director Peter White said: “We have found that a lot of the work we do with Royal Mail is around parcels, which is directly related to internet shopping. With our Royal Mail experience we should be able to work with other parcel operators.”

The company, which was founded in 1976 and also has an office in Loughborough, is known for working across public and private sector projects including schools, universities, leisure centres, distribution facilities, residential developments and transport hubs.

Watson Batty has created over one million sq ft of retail space across 19 stores for Morrisons, designed 4,000 new homes and supported 20,000 new school places in the UK.

The firm, which unveiled a new brand image last year and plans to almost double its £4m turnover in the next five years, said it is on track to hit its future target with an average growth of 20 per cent in recent years.

Mr White said: “We are thrilled to celebrate 40 years in practice. Over this time, we have delivered many projects to be proud of and established long term client relationships, over 20 years in some cases for the likes of Wm Morrison Supermarkets and Royal Mail, which is testament to our versatility and ability to engage new practices.”

He added: “With our roots firmly established in the North we are in a fantastic position to leverage the Northern Powerhouse movement and we are in fact engaging with some very significant urban planning projects.

“However, our growing office in Loughborough has expanded our existing networks in the South, giving us extended national coverage and the ability to leverage our professional services by sector rather than geography.”

The company employs 50 people in total and is currently recruiting in Loughborough.

Mr White said: “To support our growth plans we will pursue more widespread sector expertise covering commercial, industrial, distribution, education, leisure, residential, retail and transport.”

Watson Batty is currently working on a number of projects across a range of sectors including a dining room and student’s union extension at York St John University, delivery offices for Royal Mail at Nine Elms and Portsmouth, and leisure centres for local authorities at Newark and Washington.

It recently supported Wates Living Space Homes on Calderdale Council’s North Halifax Transformation Project.

Watson Batty has recently invested in using the latest Autodesk Revit software and BIM technology to facilitate 3D modelling, and improved design team collaboration in order to meet the public sector procurement targets for project delivery in 2016.