Paraphrenitis Blog

Warrington has won the bid to house the regional hub of the government as the Home office looks for prime location in the Northwest to relocate offices to. The government is looking to move a major portion of its staff out of London.

As part of its plans to develop a huge 700,000 sq ft Whitehall in Manchester near Piccadilly Station, the building in Warrington has been chosen as an ideal business location for the regional department. This department will soon function out of offices in Birchwood spanning 157,000 sq ft once the 25 lease has been signed with landlords Marshal CDP by the Home office.

An adjoining 6 acre shared office site is also available for future expansion. The department will house staff dealing with police, passports, immigration, counter terrorism and drug policy matters. As soon as the formalities are completed the first batch of employees will be moved to these offices in Birchwood Park.

John Groves, development services manager for Warrington Borough Council explained that the council has left no stone unturned in its efforts to present the town as an ideal location for the offices. Well before the actual planning occurred, a developer was called in for discussion on possibilities so that no delay is encountered once the government green signal is received.

Although proper procedures and formalities are being adhered to strictly, the whole process is quickened because of this proactive effort by the council. Commenting on the relocation and the advantages it will bring to the locality, Warrington North MP, Helen Jones, assured that in the long term this relocation will boost employment opportunities here.