JD Sports is to build a ‘world leading’ campus in Bury to rival ‘Facebook, Google and Nike’ which includes space for 2,000 workers and a 120-capacity crèche. The sports and leisure firm received planning permission yesterday for the massive project described as ‘a pinnacle moment in our company’s history’.
The firm said it needed to invest millions its Pilsworth Road campus to create a working environment to ‘attract talent’ to work for them and rival the facilities provided by global brands and tech firms. The retailer now has permission to build additional facilities at its Pilsworth Road campus, including a crèche, 77,000 sq ft hub building, and a multi-purpose all-weather sports area.
JD Sports’ plans will see the company’s existing complex expanded where it currently has three office buildings. A two-storey crèche building for between 90 and 120 children will be built to provide childcare for JD employees.
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The second phase of the project includes a four-storey JD Hub with offices, meeting rooms, training facilities and a presentation theatre with outdoor terraces. A gym, restaurant, café, and mock shop will also be included at the hub.
James Fuller, global head of concept and design at JD Sports spoke to Bury’s planning committee on Tuesday evening. He said: “The campus is a pinnacle moment in our company’s history which hopes to cement the future of our business here in Bury.
“Bury is where our journey began with the opening of stall number 1 in 1981. The current buildings have played a vital part in our success story.
“But the campus will provide a hub building with stand alone crèche will unite our three buildings providing a central point for our colleagues to collaborate, work, eat and play. It is also our intention to invest millions of pounds refurbishing our existing buildings over the next 24 months."
Mr Fuller said the current head quarters were not suitable to attract workers to the business.
He said: “”Our head office location is a tough sell when enticing talent to JD and attracting talent has never been more challenging. Having Manchester in close proximity with all its bright lights, bars restaurant and overall appeal unfortunately makes an industrial site in Pilsworth as a work location a difficult selling point.
“We’ve found our campus facilities do not match companies like Facebook, Google and Nike or even some start ups in Manchester. Things have changed when it comes to offices and lifestyle with the two interconnected.
“World leading office environments combined with well thought out facilities are a factor in employees deciding for who and where they want to work. With childcare costs beings so expensive many parents are faced with tough decisions of not returning to work for financial reasons.
“Are proposal removes all of these hurdles creating a world leading campus right here in Bury. These new facilities will create hundreds of new jobs, allowing our company to meet its business objectives.”
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