EMCCA set to move into former Chesterfield Argos
The East Midlands Combined Authority has taken on a 27,000 sq ft former retail store at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre from Sheet Anchor Evolve, after ‘outgrowing’ its rented offices at Northern Gateway.
The unit at the corner of Steeplegate and Church Lane previously housed a branch of Argos until 2018, when the retailer relocated to concession space at Sainsbury’s in Rother Way.
Between 2021 and 2023 it was also pressed into use as a temporary JobCentre to help workers hit by changes in the labour market during the Covid pandemic.
Following a fit out by Chesterfield-based We Are Spaces, the space will become home to the combined authority’s roster of around 300 staff, with EMCCA chief executive Amy Harhoff saying the expansion will house more staff as needed, as the body assumes more responsibilities.
“Moving to our own Steeplegate office reflects both how far we’ve come and our confidence in what lies ahead,” she said.
“Having a dedicated space of our own in Chesterfield town centre gives us the room we need to grow, collaborate and support our expanding responsibilities across the region.
“We have had fantastic support from everyone at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre during our early years as we have become established and evolved.”
Created from scratch just two years ago, the combined authority now manages a £500m budget. Earlier this year, EMCCA assumed responsibility for public transport from four East Midlands’ councils.
The move will bring together teams covering transport, skills and adult education, housing and land, net-zero and economic development, as well as corporate affairs and finance.
Danny O’Keefe, Sheet Anchor Evolve co-founder, said the letting reflects the value of strong public and private sector collaboration in supporting town centres.
“Bringing a major regional authority into the centre will add to the everyday vitality of Chesterfield and demonstrates how well-located town centre space can support modern working environments while benefiting the wider place,” he said,
Amy Revell, We Are Spaces co-founder, added: “Having supported EMCCA with their initial workspace requirements during their establishment, it’s an honour to be partnering with the authority again.
“As a Chesterfield business employing local people and supply chain partners, to be part of a project that will bring so much value to our hometown makes me so proud.”
The authority will move into the ground-floor of the unit in the coming weeks, before also occupying the first floor when the interior fit-out has been completed.
