Two Derby buildings remain in running for Great British Railways HQ
A longlist of five has been whittled down, making the race to house the transport body a straight battle between Becketwell and Midland House.
Beating off the likes of Crewe and Doncaster, Derby was named as the home of the incoming GBR’s headquarters in March 2023, after a competitive bid process in which its rail heritage, existing industry presence and central national location were highlighted.
The city has also been home to a GBR transition team office in John Ellis House since 2024.
GBR will bring together the work of 17 different organisations into a single organisation responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the nation’s railways. Until then, Network Rail and the DfT Operator (DFTO) – home to nationalised train companies – are acting as ‘twin engines’ to drive the transition.
Becketwell is a £200m city centre brownfield project, which so far includes the £46m Vaillant events venue and a Grainger BTR scheme. Developed by St James Securities with Peveril Securities, enabling works at the scheme are in contention for a share of £25m being pumped into regeneration by East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Midland House is described as an existing railway building opposite Derby station, a 55,000 sq ft complex within the holdings of the Platform4 railway property business.
Stemming from the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail in 2021, the race to host GBR kicked off the following year. From the outset, it was made clear that only a modest number of staff would be permanently based at the centre.
The final decision on the GBR HQ location is expected before the end of 2026 and will, said Network Rail, be made based on a range of factors, including regeneration and economic value, value for money, and environmental and social impact.
Jeremy Westlake, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “This is an important step forward on our journey to GBR, and we are excited to be working with longstanding partners in Derby, as we come together to create a centre of excellence which will play a key role in the future of the entire railway industry.
“Having lived and worked in Derby for 18 years, it is an excellent location for a national transport organisation like Great British Railways, with all its rail heritage and strong industrial base.”
