GENSOCIAL
BT is set to welcome the first tranche of staff to its new West Midlands regional hub in Birmingham city centre.
Around 200 employees will move into its new consolidated home at Three Snowhill early next year subject to coronavirus guidelines, following completion of a major fit out project over the past 12 months.
The telecoms giant announced in January that it had agreed a 20-year deal for 283,000 sq ft of office space at the newly built tower, occupying 12 of its 17 storeys.
The company has also released new images showing inside the hub which will have a ground floor café open to the public, event spaces and a large media screen in reception (above and below).
The wider building also has an on-site gym, multi-faith and parenting rooms and cycling facilities.
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In 2018, the company announced it was consolidating around 300 UK offices down to 30 regional hubs, with the Birmingham office expected to house more than 3,000 staff.
The team is the first across the UK to move to a new ‘future fit’ office as part of the Better Workplace Programme.
BT said the investment would help it transform the way it works, create efficiencies and enable it to better serve its customers.
The company has two main locations in Birmingham city centre – Midland ATE in Station Street and Telephone House in Newhall Street – but BT is yet to announce what its future plans are for these offices.
Graeme Paton, BT’s managing director of property and facilities services, said: “This year has been so tough on everybody due to the impact of covid-19 and we know how acutely this has been felt in Birmingham.
“We believe in the power of our teams and want to give them the best environments to connect, collaborate, create and innovate.
“As the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham is a strategically important location as part of BT’s future.
“Despite the issues caused by covid-19, our contractors have been doing an amazing job getting the building prepared so we can occupy it.
“We are pleased to demonstrate this sign of commitment to the West Midlands region and we’re so excited for our colleagues who will be the first in the company to benefit from the future-fit facilities and latest technology that are the cornerstone of our transformation plans.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street added: “I am delighted that a firm of BT’s size and stature is making this move, especially at such a challenging time for the regional economy.
“It shows there is still a future for major city centre office blocks despite the coronavirus pandemic and it is a real vote of confidence in the West Midlands economy.”
