The Mayor, council dignitaries and representatives from local business gathered at Cartergate House on Thursday evening (2 February) for the official opening of Wilkin Chapman solicitors’ new Grimsby headquarters.
The town’s mayor opened the building in the early evening and visitors enjoyed a tour of the firm’s new offices. This was followed by speeches from Mark Carlton, senior partner at Wilkin Chapman, and Cllr Wheatley, after which guests enjoyed some refreshments and networking.
The evening was a fitting celebration of the significant £6m regeneration of a previously derelict area, which was delivered by the council in partnership with Engie. Wilkin Chapman is the anchor tenant of the new building and it is hoped that the vacant retail spaces on the ground floor will also soon be occupied by other local retail businesses. In addition to the new building, the £6m project involved the improvement of the existing Cartergate car park, repaving of Chantry Lane underpass and renewal of the surrounding footways. Surrounding road surfaces will also be renewed, whilst a raised table will be built at the Cartergate junction to improve road safety.
Marcus Asquith, Account Director, Engie, said: “We are delighted with the new Cartergate offices in the heart of Grimsby. Working with all our partners we have created the new stylish and high quality offices which have transformed this area of Grimsby and will kick-start further development and regeneration of this area of the town. ENGIE are very proud to have been involved in the design and build of the these award-nominated offices.”
Around 210 members of Wilkin Chapman staff now work from the four-storey building, which has provided greater accessibility for their clients, with step-free access, lifts up to all floors and parking available on site. In addition, the relocation has provided the firm with the space required over the coming years to support its growth ambitions whilst securing the future of many jobs in the Grimsby area.
Mark Carlton, senior partner at Wilkin Chapman, commented: “The firm’s move to Cartergate is evidence of our local heritage and investment in the area, having been situated within the Humber for over 100 years. The move to Cartergate is ultimately a win-win situation for the Council, the firm, local business growth and the wider community as part of the regeneration of Grimsby town centre. Our desire to invest in the local community is a key part of this and we look forward to being an active player in the wider community around Cartergate.”
The Cartergate site was formerly derelict for seven years
The build started in September 2015 and was completed in October 2016
The four-storey £6m build was developed by NELC with its partner Engie and was built by Lincolnshire-based construction company The Gelder Group
Building has been constructed using a mix of contemporary cladding and blockwork that form the structure around the large expanses of glazing providing a building flooded with light
The ground floor is to be home to retail spaces that are available for occupation
The entrance is an impressive four storey glazed atrium creating the focal point of the building. The upper floors of the building are open plan, intersected with individual office spaces, breakout out zones and high tech meeting rooms
The building lights up in the dark with strategic lighting that highlight and play on the buildings textural changes, complemented by the surrounding area
The remaining land around Cartergate is to be marketed for the development of a hotel scheme
The development is the catalyst for regeneration in the area which is to become the ‘Cultural Quarter’ of the town
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For further information, please contact: Abbi Winfield, Pace Communications, tel: 01482 332255, mobile 07525 798172, abbi.winfield@pacecomms.co.uk
