Leeds mill conversion fully occupied for first time in 15 years

Marshalls Mill, a Grade II-listed former flax mill in Holbeck, has become a hub for digital and media companies after three expanding tenants enabled it to reach 100 per cent occupancy rates.

Thriving at the largest Round Foundry development in Holbeck Urban Village are Robot Food, True North Productions and We Are Boutique, who have expanded into new space with the six-floor building, which was further refurbished in 2012.

Robot Food, an independent strategic brand design agency, is set to take 1,100 sq. ft of additional space in Marshalls Mill. Set up in 2009 by director Simon Forster, Robot Food has experienced rapid growth since moving to the area in 2012. The company was originally located in Harrogate, moving to a small unit in the neighbouring Tower Works development before relocating to Marshalls Mill in 2015 due to business expansion. Following a series of new client wins in 2016, Robot Food now have 17 staff and plan to expand into the new office space in the new year.

“Marshalls Mill was the obvious choice for us as it’s a beautiful building full of great spaces,” said Simon.

“The expansion into the additional unit will allow more meeting space and further growth as we’re taking on bigger clients. We wouldn’t want to leave Holbeck Urban Village, as it’s central for clients, but more importantly it’s a great area for the team, full of places for coffee, lunch and of course some of the best pubs in Leeds.”

True North, the fastest-growing independent TV production company outside London, has taken up an additional 1,184 sq. ft in Marshalls Mill, bringing its total office space to 7,920 sq feet. The company, which has been based in HUV since 2009 now has 120 staff and was recently nominated for a prestigious Broadcast Award for its work on Channel 4’s ‘A New Life in the Sun’. Work on programmes such as ‘Teen Mom UK’ for MTV and ‘The Highwaymen’ for the BBC have contributed to continued business growth and the company is now expanding their television production and delivery facilities to handle the increase in demand.

Creative director Jess Fowle said:

“True North has never been busier. Marshalls Mill – with its industrial heritage – suits that feeling of industriousness perfectly. It’s just round the corner from the station – so it’s convenient for our own team. But it’s also perfect for London commissioning editors to visit us and they are always blown away by our office and post-production space.”

Another tenant which is on the move is We Are Boutique, a media communications agency. Established in 2011 by Simon Bollon, We Are Boutique have made the move from Marshalls Mill into a 2,955 sq. ft space in Saw Mill Yard, also in HUV, allowing neighbours Robot Food to expand in the Mill building.

“We wanted more space to accommodate for expansion, future growth, meetings, and for an overall better portrayal of the business. When we saw that this building was available, we had to take it. It’s such a quirky space and is perfect for a boutique agency. The new office marks a milestone for us as a market leading business delivering five-star service. The brief for the office fit out was ‘five-star hotel’. We think we’ve nailed it,” he said.

Holbeck Urban Village, a major part of South Bank Leeds, has earned a reputation as the city’s home for pioneering companies with its mix of restored historic mill spaces, flexible, contemporary interiors and a digital infrastructure that offers the fastest on-demand broadband service in any multi-occupancy building in Leeds.