Member Article

Derbyshire recycling specialist invests £1million in former leisure centre for new offices

Midlands-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has opened its third Ilkeston site this week at a former leisure centre, following a £1million refurbishment.

Since purchasing the old Albion Leisure Centre from Erewash Borough Council in March this year, Ward has invested in a complete renovation of the site to create new offices and communal areas for more than 60 staff and space for future expansion. The fully renovated, air conditioned offices with open plan design will be the new home to Ward’s administration, IT, HR, waste and container sales and accounts teams from its existing Quarry Hill site.

James Balfour, Finance Director at Ward, said: “With this new investment, Ward aims to breathe new life into the former leisure centre and generate footfall into Ilkeston town centre, as well as creating a fresh new environment for our dedicated team now and in the future.

“We employ over 350 people in Derbyshire and we’ll be moving up to 60 staff here in the short term, with longer term plans to expand the team further. We completely refurbished the old dance studio and gym areas, improved the car parking and will also be encouraging people to use public transport and take up the cycle to work scheme. We’ve kept the old sports hall and will be renovating this to offer lunchtime and afterwork activities, such a five a side football and badminton classes.”

The move will free up space at the existing offices on Crompton Road offices to create a dedicated goods received area for deliveries of equipment and supplies and a logistics and transport office hub, creating an additional 15 fleet management and driving jobs.

Councillor Chris Corbett, Mayor of Erewash who officially opened the new site on Wednesday 10th October, said:   “The Borough Council is delighted that Ward Recycling has chosen to base its administrative offices within the heart of Ilkeston town centre. This new base, as well as its two other sites in Ilkeston, makes it one of the largest employers within the borough.   “We are working hard to regenerate the town centre for the benefit of residents and visitors alike, so to see this building brought back into full use is excellent news and we thank Ward for helping bring business into the town centre. The company is the largest independent metal and waste recycling company in the East Midlands and we also give thanks for their support in helping the Borough Council achieve its recycling targets. I wish the company and all its staff all the very best for the future.”

Albion Leisure Centre opened in 1986 and closed in August 2008 when it was operating at a significant financial loss and an over supply of leisure facilities in Ilkeston had been identified following the opening of Rutland Sports Park. Derbyshire Districts Citizens’ Advice Bureau was based in the centre but moved to its new premises at Castledine House, Heanor Road in Ilkeston earlier this year.

Following the success of its Chesterfield site, Ward appointed local award winning contractors, DSP Interiors Ltd, to complete the full fit out at Ilkeston. The DSP team has installed frameless glass partitioning, rustic wooden and striking green panelling in the reception and washroom areas, all with a sustainable, environmentally friendly feel - true to Ward’s recycling values.

Ward is a fourth-generation family business and has quadrupled its turnover in the last 10 years, through continuous investment and innovation in metal processing, recycling and waste management.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ward .