The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual) has agreed a long-term lease at ONE FRIARGATE in Coventry. Coventry City Council agreed a deal with the Government Property Agency (GPA) that will see Ofqual take 11,500 sq ft of space.
ONE FRIARGATE is already home to Coventry City Council, Homes England, and the Financial Ombudsman Service, and is fast becoming a dynamic public sector hub. Ofqual’s new offices benefit from a prime city centre location and the modern office space close to public transport is an opportunity to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact.
The announcement comes quickly after energy supplier Octopus confirmed it would move staff to TWO FRIARGATE, in a landmark deal. TWO FRIARGATE is Coventry’s newest Grade A office building.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration, and Climate Change, at Coventry City Council, said:
“Friargate is becoming a real commercial hub and Ofqual’s decision to re-locate to ONE FRIARGATE is good news, especially as it’s hot on the heels of the build out of TWO FRIARGATE and the recent opening of Hotel Indigo.
“With a continued commitment to Coventry, Ofqual will be able to benefit from a central location, right next to the railway and just a short walk to the city centre.
“It’s a further vote of confidence in our city as a great location for both public and private sector organisations – coming quickly after Octopus has committed to move to TWO FRIARGATE. All of this is great news as it will secure and create jobs in the city.”
Coventry City Council was represented by Cushman & Wakefield, and the Government Property Agency was represented by BNP Paribas.
Diversity, skills and connectivity
Just two minutes’ walk from Coventry Railway Station, ONE FRIARGATE is the cornerstone building of the Friargate development, and sits adjacent to TWO FRIARGATE, the new premier office building in Coventry’s first dedicated business district.
As a growing and highly skilled city, Coventry is a key location for government levelling up, paving the way for transitioning policymaking into a diverse, central area powered by innovation and investment.
Coventry can supply the graduates that government needs, with its two universities generating a diverse range of knowledgeable experts in specialist scientific fields, alongside established languages and humanities talent pools. Coventry University also hosts a unique Civil Service Leadership training scheme.
To find out more about TWO FRIARGATE’s new Coventry offices, contact Cushman & Wakefield – Scott Rutherford on 07824 436439 or email scott.rutherford@cushwake.com, or David Rigby on 07730 735889 or email david.rigby@cushwake.com.
