Thornton & Ross has signed a 10 year lease to establish a new UK headquarters within the iconic Globe Mill, a historic building dating back to 1887 located in Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire.
Part of global healthcare company STADA, the business is moving approximately 150 commercial staff across core business hubs and functions, from the current location in Linthwaite to the new office in Slaithwaite, where the company will occupy the full third floor.
Founded in Huddersfield in 1922, Thornton & Ross manufactures well-known brands such as Covonia, Savlon, Hedrin and Zoflora and is moving to the new premises to help support future business growth.
Designed by Eden Interior Solutions Limited, a specialist office interior design and build company, the office space will keep all the original features and be developed to support a more flexible environment. Alongside hot-desking and agile working spaces, the design will help to encourage flexibility, creativity and collaboration when employees are in the office, while state of the art IT and AV systems will support hybrid working and keep the two sites (Slaithwaite and Linthwaite) well connected.
The office will also have a library space for when staff want to focus, dedicated break out areas and a wellbeing room. Environmental considerations have also been factored into the design, with sustainable materials and products being used.
Being central to the heart of Slaithwaite will create an easier commute for employees across the Yorkshire and North-West regions, while also providing more support for local businesses. Supporting the local community was front of mind with the location choice, but also with supporting the design process; Thornton & Ross has worked with Eden to use local suppliers for the fit out including hiring local building contractors and ordering furniture from businesses in the Huddersfield area.
The office space is expected to be ready in November with all commercial teams moving into the space in the New Year. With the new office space only 1.2 miles from the current Linthwaite office and manufacturing site, the two offices will be working very closely together.
Roger Scarlett- Smith, executive vice president, STADA UK and North America says: “The new office has been a real passion project for me and I’m looking forward to seeing our vision come to life. The Globe is an iconic building and we knew it was the right place to create the inspiring and collaborative work space for employees that we wanted.
“We’ll now be in the heart of the Colne Valley and as a business we’re looking forward to being integrated even more into the local community and supporting the businesses in the area.
“The business is going from strength to strength as part of the STADA group, and as we restructured we felt strongly that it was key that we recognised our roots and stayed in the area”
Globe Innovation Centre Ltd is a partnership between Hartley Property Trust Ltd, 3M, The University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council. It has invested more than £5 million to transform The Globe in Slaithwaite to deliver 80,000 sq. ft. of state of the art innovation space with laboratory facilities, offices, medical suites, retail facilities and a stunning artisan hall.
Chris Smith, a spokesperson for Hartley said: “We are delighted to agree this significant deal with Thornton & Ross as a new occupier which fits perfectly with our vision to transform The Globe into a new space for innovation and local employment. Colne Valley Group Practice recently opened its GP surgery and pharmacy last month and we have strong interest in the remaining space. The Globe is instrumental in driving the powerhouse of the North and is ideally located in the heart of Leeds City Region where innovators are supported and have access to the very best talent, universities and businesses to collaborate with.”
