Marshalls Mill is 100% let for the first time

Marshalls Mill, the largest office building here on the Round Foundry estate in Holbeck Urban Village [HUV], is 100% let for the first time since it was refurbished in 2001.

Three businesses – Robot Food, True North Productions and We Are Boutique – have expanded into new office space within the estate, in a trio of deals secured by commercial agents, Creative Space Management. Spread over six floors, the Grade II listed old flax mill was refurbished extensively in 2001 with further refurbishment in 2011 and early 2012, and is now home to a unique community of fast-growth digital and new media companies.

Robot Food, an independent strategic brand design agency, is set to take 1,100 sq. ft of additional space in Marshalls Mill. Set up in 2009 by director Simon Forster, Robot Food has experienced rapid growth since moving to the area in 2012. The company was originally located in Harrogate, moving to a small unit in the neighbouring Tower Works development before relocating to Marshalls Mill in 2015 due to business expansion. Following a series of new client wins in 2016, Robot Food now have 17 staff and plan to expand into the new office space in the new year.

“Marshalls Mill was the obvious choice for us as it’s a beautiful building full of great spaces” comments Simon Forster: “The expansion into the additional unit will allow more meeting space and further growth as we’re taking on bigger clients. We wouldn’t want to leave Holbeck Urban Village, as it’s central for clients, but more importantly it’s a great area for the team, full of places for coffee, lunch and of course some of the best pubs in Leeds.”

True North, the fastest growing independent TV production company outside London, has taken up an additional 1,184 sq. ft in Marshalls Mill, bringing its total office space to 7,920 sq feet. The company, which has been based in HUV since 2009 now has 120 staff and was recently nominated for a prestigious Broadcast Award for its work on Channel 4’s ‘A New Life in the Sun’. Work on programmes such as ‘Teen Mom UK’ for MTV and ‘The Highwaymen’ for the BBC have contributed to continued business growth and the company is now expanding their television production and delivery facilities to handle the increase in demand.

Jess Fowle, Creative Director, said: “True North has never been busier.  Marshalls Mill – with its industrial heritage – suits that feeling of industriousness perfectly.  It’s just round the corner from the station – so it’s convenient for our own team.  But it’s also perfect for London commissioning editors to visit us and they are always blown away by our office and post-production space.”

Another HUV tenant which is on the move is We Are Boutique, a media communications agency. Established in 2011 by Managing Director Simon Bollon, We Are Boutique have made the move from Marshalls Mill into a 2,955 sq. ft space in Saw Mill Yard, also in HUV, allowing neighbours Robot Food to expand in the Mill building.

Commented Simon Bollon: “We wanted more space to accommodate for expansion, future growth, meetings, and for an overall better portrayal of the business. When we saw that this building was available, we had to take it. It’s such a quirky space and is perfect for a boutique agency. The new office marks a milestone for us as a market leading business delivering 5-star service. The brief for the office fit out was ‘5-star hotel’. We think we’ve nailed it.”

Adds Paul Taylor from Creative Space Management: “We’re delighted to mark the 100% let milestone for Marshalls Mill for the first time. The Round Foundry and Marshall’s Mill estate has a reputation for attracting and retaining fast-growth businesses and these latest deals are a testament to this. Our range of flexible spaces has enabled all three companies, who have been located in HUV for a number of years now, to fulfil their ambitious growth plans whilst remaining on the estate.”