GWR takes over former Royal Mail building as part of major Plymouth investment

The company said it will provide a major hub in the city

Historic train operator Great Western Railway has confirmed its long term commitment to the with a major investment.

GWR has announced it has acquired a major office building next to the city’s railway station, as part of its wider commitment to rail-led regeneration and growth in the region.

The deal has been heralded as being the largest office letting in Plymouth for a decade and the largest in the region outside of Bristol.

The new lease will bring together GWR operational and administrative teams and rail industry partners in a single, modern hub immediately adjoining Plymouth station.

The move strengthens the station’s role as a focal point for employment, investment and future development.

The train company said the four-storey building, located on a two-acre site with about 100 parking spaces, will provide “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.”

Originally constructed as a Royal Mail sorting office, the building was completely refurbished and converted by the University of Plymouth in 2019. Following the University’s vacation in September and planning consent for office use, GWR moved to lease the space.

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 said: “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.”