Site Rescue move operations into new Leeds HQ

The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has assisted Site Rescue, the independent provider of fire safety and medical help at major events, to lease a new headquarters in Leeds.

Site Rescue is taking 8,550 sq ft of self-contained workshop, warehouse and office space at Princess Works in New Princess Street in Holbeck.

Site Rescue is relocating its previous operations in Derby and Morley to Princess Works.

Tony Barker, managing director of Site Rescue, said: “Now they are being comprehensively refurbished, these are the perfect premises for us. They have been a little neglected during the past couple of years, but we are restoring them to their former glory.”

Site Rescue, which provides fire and medical cover at some of the most high-profile UK concerts, will have six permanent staff on site with at least 10 freelance fire safety officers and first aid practitioners on call.

Mr Barker added: “We have been operating for 15 years now, and our clients include Leeds City Council, Nottingham City Council, Jaguar and Red Bull. We have provided cover at high-profile events such as the Tour de France, The Invictus Games and the filming of Top Gear, and concerts featuring The Pogues, Madness, Texas and Dizzy Rascal.

“Our facilities include a six-bed trauma unit and mobile first aid units from a fire extinguisher to a fleet of fire tenders and rescue units.”

Nick Prescott, associate at Knight Frank in Leeds, who advised the charity BEN, the lead leaseholder at Princess Works, on this deal, also commented: “I have worked with both BEN and Tony to complete this deal. These are the perfect premises for a very special company. Tony is doing a superb job with Princess Works, creating first-class office, training and warehousing space.

“The location, just by Junction 3 of the M621 and close to Yorkshire’s superb motorway network, is ideal for a company that needs to be on the road most of the time. The warehousing space is perfect for Tony’s splendid fleet of fire-safety and first-aid vehicles. It has been a privilege to work with him on this letting.”

Site Rescue is taking a 10-year lease on Princess Works from landlords Trinity College, Cambridge and the main contractor for the refurbishment is Bradford-based GLM Services.

The premises will also provide a base for BTS (Europe) Ltd, which is run by Tony Barker’s partner Josie Burnett. BTS supplies goods for the hospitality market including hotel kettles, minibars, hotel safes, housekeeping trolleys, tray sets, hotel irons and ironing boards.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell advised the tenant on the deal. David Cowgill, a Real Estate Associate within the firm’s Leeds office, added: “It is enormously satisfying for us to have assisted Tony and Josie with this important move for the business. The new premises is already taking shape and this move will no doubt facilitate further growth in the near future.”