Newsquest Warrington
Incentivising staff to work on-site with a fast media company office relocation
Newsquest Media Group is the second-largest publisher of local and regional newspapers in the UK, with offices based all over the country. Its Warrington division was relocating from a large office space it had occupied for over a decade to an upgraded building.
Newsquest needed a partner to help manage the media company’s office relocation and furniture installation in Warrington, including supporting with the dilapidations process and designing and fitting out the new office space.
The brief
Our team was tasked with managing the two buildings simultaneously to both reinstate the original premises and prepare the new office space, all within a three-and-a-half-week window. While the previous office was to be restored to a white-box standard, the new office had to be carefully designed to accommodate the same number of people in half the space. The aim was to create a modern, engaging workplace to incentivise hybrid staff to work from the office and improve productivity.
Our approach
To minimise disruption during the media company’s office relocation, we took a phased approach to the dilapidations process and safely managed the project around the staff who were still working in the building.
To meet Newsquest’s aim of encouraging staff to work from the office, we consulted with the Warrington team throughout the office design process and used their feedback to inform the final plans. This included a last-minute addition of a wall between the kitchen and desk spaces to reduce noise and distraction.
The cost of the project was minimised by reusing existing materials where possible, including glass doors from the original premises, which were fitted in the new office’s kitchen.
The result
The publishing company’s office relocation has resulted in a highly engaging and attractive work environment for Newsquest Warrington’s staff.
White box reinstatement
The original premises were successfully reinstated to a Cat A standard with partitions removed and new carpet laid.
Inviting office space
A combination of ergonomic workstations, natural colours and materials, and acoustic solutions to engage staff.
Conference room
A comfortable space for internal and external meetings, featuring tech for hybrid conference calls.
Recording space
An innovative and professional space designated for recording videos and interviews.
The impact
By successfully meeting the strict deadline on the dilapidations process, we ensured that Newsquest Warrington would avoid additional costs related to its expired lease on the old premises.
In the new space, staff benefit from an attractive, modern working environment designed around their needs. Employee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff praising the welcoming atmosphere of the new space.
