9,000 staff to move to Newcastle City Centre

Part of the Government Hub network, HMRC’s state-of-the-art regional centre will be based at the new development and will accommodate approximately 9,000 staff from HMRC.

The Newcastle building will be the largest of HMRC’s 13 regional centres, at 43,000m² and marks an important step in the department’s wider transformation agenda.

This nine-storey city centre building will be part of a vibrant and attractive new development close to retail and leisure facilities, places to eat and open spaces. It is ten minutes from Newcastle Central Station and has excellent transport links.

Jim Harra, HMRC’s Chief Executive and first Permanent Secretary, said:

“HMRC has had a longstanding presence in Newcastle and the wider North East. Signing the lease for the new regional centre is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the area, its economy and our employees based in the North East.

“Pilgrim’s Quarter will deliver the inclusive, flexible and collaborative working environment that meets the current and future needs of our colleagues while improving career development opportunities.”

Steve Barclay, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:

“We’re committed to levelling up the country and this hub follows recent expansions in the region from the Treasury and DEFRA.

“Moving 9,000 staff into one city centre site will deliver fantastic footfall for local businesses while also making the government property estate greener and more efficient.”

The new regional centre will enable HMRC to build a stronger relationship with the local community and become a visible and active contributor to Newcastle and the wider North East region.

Moving to Pilgrim’s Quarter better meets the department’s future requirements by providing the size quality of workplace it needs, with better access to transport links that will also support the government’s green and sustainability agendas.

Cllr Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said:

“This is fantastic news for Newcastle and anyone who has a stake in the success of the city centre.

“Having a new development for 9,000 workers in the heart of the city will be great for transport operators, retailers and the hospitality trade. It will not only boost our economy but bring huge social value to the city as it continues to be transformed after the pandemic.

“It shows confidence in our vision and the £50 million city centre transformation plan we launched earlier this year and comes on the back of organisations like the Home Group, Homes England, Monstarlab and others, choosing the city as their first choice for attracting and retaining great people.

“All these developments will bring a huge economic stimulus which is just what we need, and I wholeheartedly welcome it.

“All planning applications are of course subject to the scrutiny of the independent planning process.”

1. The building will be subject to a 25-year lease on 43,000m² of space (Net internal area)
2. Most HMRC colleagues in the North East are currently based at either Benton Park View in Newcastle or Waterview Park in Washington. The opening of the new regional centre will be aligned with HMRC’s move out of these office spaces, which is expected to be in 2027.
3. HMRC is investing in the best of modern technology and basing its people in state-of-the-art and more cost-effective buildings, as it creates better, more modern customer services and in line with HMRC’s Charter.
4. The Government Property Agency (GPA), part of the Cabinet Office, is working with government departments to transform the Government Estate to drive efficiencies for the taxpayer, boost the UK economy by freeing up much needed land and property, and provide a modern working environment for civil servants.
5. All HMRC’s regional centres are part of the Government Hub network providing safe and modern workplaces for its people to build careers, while building in flexibility to meet future changing demands and priorities.
6. HMRC’s Locations Strategy, announced in 2015, remains key to enabling HMRC’s and wider government transformation and achieving our vision of being a trusted and modern tax and customs department with a presence in every country and region of the UK.
7. Teams expected to be based in Pilgrim’s Quarter include: Customer Services, Customer Strategy and Design, Finance, HR, Transformation and Specialist Customer Compliance facilities.
8. Pilgrim’s Quarter is being developed by Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Limited.
9. The lease payments on the new HMRC Newcastle Regional Centre will be taxable in the UK.
10. HMRC is satisfied the deal represents the best value for money for the taxpayer.
11. Follow HMRC’s Press Office on Twitter @HMRCpressoffice