Derby city centre location confirmed for new Great British Railways HQ

The Government has confirmed that the headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR) will be housed in a brand-new building in the heart of Derby city centre.

GBR, a new public body responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the railways, will be based at 3 Springwell Square – a Grade A office building being delivered by St James Securities as part of the £200 million regeneration of Becketwell.

Planning permission for the scheme was recently lodged with Derby City Council.

Construction of the new office is expected to begin early next year and is expected to be complete by spring 2029.

The site will accommodate up to 450 GBR staff and bring an estimated £151 million boost to the region’s economy.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said: “This is fantastic news for our city centre, which will reap the benefits of hosting a key government operation.

“More workers in the city will be using our transport, eating in our restaurants, and supporting our amazing local businesses.

“Once the new office is built and GBR are in place, we will be ready to begin an exciting new chapter for the city.”

The proposed low-carbon development will deliver 106,544 sq ft of premium, flexible workspace on the former Duckworth Square site.

The plans also include significant improvements to the public realm, with an extension to Springwell Square and a new pocket park proposed in Macklin Street.

Derby was selected as GBR’s headquarters location in 2023 after a competitive process that showcased the city’s rail expertise, proud industrial heritage and central national location.

Nadine added: “Becketwell is one of our flagship regeneration schemes and a shining example of what targeted investment can achieve.

“Working jointly with our development partners, St James Securities and Peveril Securities, we have already delivered a new public square, high-quality housing, and a state-of-the-art venue in the heart of the city.

“With the addition of GBR now confirmed, we reaffirm to investors that Derby is well and truly open for business and we are ready to unlock further development and employment opportunities in the city centre.

“A busy, attractive, and well-occupied city centre will also draw more students, visitors, helping to create a more vibrant place to live and work.”

Bob Betts, executive chairman at Marketing Derby , said: “We are delighted that the headquarters of Great British Railways will be at Becketwell.

“It will have a significant impact on the economic vitality of the city centre, helping bring in more economically active workers, which has been a longstanding ambition for Derby.

“The new Grade A office development at Springwell Square, as part of the Becketwell regeneration scheme, will help showcase Derby city centre as a viable location for office occupiers at a time when high-quality options across the wider region are limited.”

As well as revealing the location for GBR’s headquarters, the Government has also announced that up to 600 apprentices aged between 16 to 21 years old will enrol over the next four years on the GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeship Scheme, with the first starters based in Derby.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Great British Railways will have its home in Derby, a city that has railways in its DNA.

“This will bring investment and good jobs, giving young people the chance to build their future in the place they call home.”

3 Springwell Square builds on the success of earlier phases of Becketwell, including the Condor build-to-rent apartments, Springwell Square and Vaillant Live, Derby’s landmark events venue.

Paul Morris, development director at St James Securities, said: “This is a hugely significant moment for Derby and a tremendous vote of confidence in both the city and the Becketwell development.

“From the beginning, we believed 3 Springwell Square offered Great British Railways a unique opportunity – a modern, highly sustainable headquarters building located at the centre of a transformational regeneration scheme in the UK’s rail capital.

“Derby’s rail heritage, skills base and industry expertise are second to none, and we are delighted that Great British Railways has chosen to make its home here.

“The decision will bring long-term benefits to the city, attract further investment and create a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Paul recently gave an insight into the Becketwell regeneration scheme at Marketing Derby’s Derby Property Summit.

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