Moving times for firm

Jan 17 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A TRAINING firm is the latest to sign up for space at a major mill conversion in Huddersfield.

ESTL is taking 15,000sq ft of office space at the restored 19th-century Folly Hall Mills on the banks of the Colne.

The Grade II listed building on the edge of the town centre is being converted into 60,000sq ft offices by Dewsbury-based Jay Tee Group.

ESTL, of Penistone Road, Kirkburton, is to take space in both mills which make up the complex, as well as the extended former boiler-house.

The company will be taking 6,900sq ft in the small mill, which means it is now fully occupied. ESTL is also taking 3,300sq ft in the boiler-house and 3,400sq ft in the main mill.

The new premises will provide space for about 100 staff.

Rachel Stirling, managing director of ESTL, said the company needed substantially bigger premises, adding: “We are moving to Folly Hall because we have experienced considerable growth in the last 12 months.

“We chose Folly Hall for a number of reasons, including its central location – which will enable us to retain existing staff – its parking facilities and the chance of having purpose-built premises with specifically designed spaces.

“It is wonderful to be part of an exciting regeneration scheme for Huddersfield and to create new employment opportunities for the local community.”

The move will be in three stages. At first ESTL will occupy three floors of the small mill, moving in in mid-February.

In mid-May the company will occupy the newly installed atrium and existing boiler-house. By mid-September it will occupy half the ground floor in the main mill.

ESTL specialises in training and assessment, operating from offices in West Yorkshire and the North-East, as well as via a nationwide network of trainers and assessors.

Paul Bailey, project director at the Jay Tee Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome ESTL to Folly Hall Mills, which is a tremendous development for Huddersfield.