Disability equality charity, Scope, is set to open a major new service hub at Brewery Wharf in Leeds.
The charity has agreed a deal to take 4,500 sq ft at 3 Brewery Wharf for its new Leeds Community Hub, creating its largest base outside of London. The hub will be home to more than 70 staff working across a range of services including community, family and employment teams as well as helpline support staff, and it also will feature a café and shop.
The specialist fit out of the new space will begin in September ahead of the hub launching early 2024. The space will be fully accessible, with plans including wide aisles and adjustable height desks for wheelchair users, as well as braille signs and specialist lighting for those with visual impairments.
Ruth Blazye, executive director of retail and communities, says: “One in four of us are disabled and are not treated equally in society. Together, as communities, we can change that. Scope’s Leeds Community Hub will be a centre for a range of the charity’s services, retail products and our community engagement work.
“The hub will also provide a space to showcase the great work, designed exclusively for Scope, by our hugely talented disabled artists and makers. The new, accessible hub will be pivotal in deepening our connections with the Leeds communities, our local Yorkshire Scope shops and will offer a community space for all.”
Scope’s lease agreement comes on the back of a raft of major milestones at Brewery Wharf which is owned by Leeds-based property investor, Rushbond, specialists in repurposing cherished locations and buildings throughout the region.
In June, legal technology provider, InfoTrack, opened a new 5,582 sq ft office at 7 Brewery Place which provides space for more than 70 staff. This is the first permanent Northern base for the company, which also has offices in London and Woking. The new office will enable the company to grow the Leeds office to 30 plus team members as well as act as a collaborative hub for its remote staff across the North of England.
Scott Bozinis, InfoTrack CEO, said: “InfoTrack is delighted to be expanding our operation with our Leeds office at Brewery Wharf. With a large and growing number of customers in the North, we’re excited to set down roots here and be able to work even more closely with them.
“We’re currently working from a small base on the site, with expansion and a full fit out in late 2023. With more than 250 people now driving the success of InfoTrack from across the country, we’re thrilled to be able to commit to Leeds and recognise the increasing talent the region boasts.”
Channel 4 News also began broadcasting from a state-of-the art new ITN studio at Brewery Wharf in May – making history as the first prime time news programme to co-present from two locations (Leeds and London). The new studio adds to Channel 4’s growing presence in the city which already is home to its northern headquarters at the landmark Majestic building in the city centre – which is also owned and redeveloped by Rushbond – which accommodates more than 200 staff.
Richard Baker from Rushbond said: “We made a concerted effort to develop Brewery Wharf in ways that would attract more creative and new media tenants, investing heavily in the public realm and refurbishing existing spaces.
“By opening up the public realm, we have created an accessible location that is ideal for Scope and we look forward to welcoming the charity and working with them to bring to life their ambitious plans for their new hub.
“It’s fantastic to see nationally significant companies like Channel 4 and InfoTrack choosing Brewery Wharf as the location for their northern head office. This place spearheaded the renaissance of Leeds’ waterfront and the South Bank, and we now have only a handful of workspaces remaining for anyone who wants to be a part of this distinctive and beautiful waterside location.”
