 |
 |
||||||
[August 2000]
Royal Doulton to relocate its international headquarters
Royal Doulton is to relocate its international headquarters to a new custom built complex at Etruria Valley, part of the successful Festival Park development in the centre of Stoke-on-Trent.
The company's existing headquarters at the former Minton factory site in Stoke has been sold to Portfolio Holdings, a property investment and development company based in London, in a sage payment deal estimated to be in the region of £5 million, subject to relevant planning consents.
Phase one of Royal Doulton's Etruria Valley development will include a purpose built head office of approx. 27,000 square feet and a 10,000 square feet factory shop. A second phase is proposed to feature a showroom complex and heritage centre, which will complement the exisiting visitor centre at Royal Doulton's Nile Street factory.
The complex is being developed in conjunction with Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd., the joint venture partnership between St Modwen Properties PLC and Stoke City Council. Subject to relevant planning consents being received, Royal Doulton will commit to an initial 20 year leasehold contract.
Building is scheduled to start in October this year, with occupation of the new complex being phased from Summer 2001. It is anticipated that the new offices and factory shop will be fully occupied by September 2001.
Wayne Nutbeen, chief operating officer, of Royal Doulton said: " We continue to re-shape our business to meet the demands of today's consumer and this marks a further step in a number of initiatives that wil ensure we create a business environment geared up to the 21st century".
ENDS