Great Western Railway strikes deal for former Royal Mail building as part of major investment

Great Western Railway has confirmed its long-term commitment to Plymouth through a substantial financial investment. The South West train operator has purchased a major office building next to the city’s railway station, forming part of its broader pledge to drive rail-focused regeneration and economic expansion across the region.

The deal has been described as the largest office letting Plymouth has witnessed in a decade and the biggest across the wider region outside of Bristol.

The new premises will unite GWR’s operational and administrative personnel alongside rail industry collaborators in one contemporary facility directly beside Plymouth station.

This development reinforces the station’s position as a central hub for jobs, capital investment and future growth, reports Plymouth Live.

According to the train operator, the four-storey building, situated on a two-acre plot with approximately 100 parking spaces, will deliver “significantly enhanced accommodation for operational staff, administrative teams, and rail industry partners working in connection with station operations and future development”.

GWR business assurance director Joe Graham said: “GWR has secured a new building lease that will provide our teams and rail industry partners with modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation for years to come.

“This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to creating an excellent working environment for our people.

“The building will be refurbished to deliver substantially improved facilities for operational staff, administrative teams, and colleagues from across the wider rail industry – enabling us to better serve our passengers and communities.”

The building was initially a postal sorting centre for Royal Mail before the University of Plymouth carried out a comprehensive renovation and transformation in 2019.

After the University departed in September and office use was approved through planning permission, GWR secured a lease on the premises.

Hector Pearce and Altitude Investments acted jointly for the landlord, supported by Temple Bright LLP Solicitors, with additional support from Tozers LLP on planning.

Andrew Hector of Hector Pearce csaid: “Simon Bennett and I previously advised Royal Mail on the letting to the University of Plymouth and subsequent investment sale and we are really pleased to have supported the now owner in securing an almost immediate sequential letting to GWR.

“This is the largest office letting in Plymouth for a decade and the largest in the region outside of Bristol. It will bring significant investment to Plymouth City Centre and could act as a catalyst for the wider redevelopment of the railway station.”