The opening of the new flagship UK Government hub in Edinburgh moved a step closer yesterday when the property developers Artisan Real Estate formally handed over the keys of the building to Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
The new Hub, located near Waverley Station in the heart of Edinburgh, is a seven story, 190,000 square feet, ultra-modern office space. It will bring together nearly 3,000 UK Government civil servants from a range of UK Government departments.
Due to open in Spring next year, the New Waverley Hub will improve the work of the UK Government in Scotland, helping them deliver better services for Scottish people.
It will enable closer collaboration between departments, smarter working, and use of the latest technology. The Hub will incorporate a Cabinet Room, allowing the UK Government Cabinet to meet in a purpose built room, the first time such a facility has been available in Scotland.
Secretary of State for Scotland Mr Mundell said: “I am delighted to receive the keys to the new UK Government Hub in Edinburgh. The formal handover of the building’s keys is an important milestone, demonstrating we are making real progress towards opening the flagship building in the heart of Edinburgh next year.
“The building will bring together some 3,000 UK Government civil servants, helping them deliver high quality services for people across Scotland. I very much look forward to inviting the Cabinet to meet in the building once it is open for business.
“The Edinburgh Hub is a great example of the UK Government’s extensive support for the capital’s economy – which we are also driving through the ambitious Edinburgh and South East Scotland Growth Deal.”
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is delivering the Edinburgh Hub on behalf of the UK Government, and will be based there when the first teams start to move in from April 2020.
HMRC has been at the cutting edge of delivering UK Government’s Hub strategy and is leading on delivering the future estate strategy for the UK Government, enabling closer working between UK Government departments.
Developers Artisan worked hand in hand with construction partners McAleer & Rushe and designers Allan Murray Architects to deliver the Hub ahead of time and on budget.
Mr Mundell was joined at the key handover by:
- Lord Keen, Advocate General for Scotland
- Neville Myers, Deputy Director, Government Property Agency
- Clive Wilding, Property Director, Artisan Real Estate (developer)
- Seamus McAleer, Founder & Chairman, McAleer and Rushe (construction company)
- Gillian McGregor, Director, Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Work is also underway on a first Glasgow Hub, with a second one to follow. The Edinburgh and Glasgow Hubs are a key part of the UK Government’s ‘commitment to delivering excellent public services for people in Scotland, building a strong Civil Service outside London and leading the way in regional regeneration’.
Across the UK it is estimated that the UK Government Hubs programme will save more than £2 billion of public money over twenty years, relocating civil servants from existing, often fragmented office locations, to modern, cross-departmental workplaces.
Mind you, following the first round of votes in the race to be Prime Minister, you do have to wonder just how long Scotland will remain part of a Boris Johnson-led UK. Could the shiny new Government Hub be converted into student accommodation – or maybe yet another city centre hotel? Just a thought …
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