Employment and skills specialist Working Links has secured almost 3,000 sq ft of new offices at Brackla House in Bridgend, to help it deliver the UK government’s flagship new Work Programme contract which aims to get long term unemployed people into sustainable employment. Working Links has expanded its property portfolio across Wales to a total of 23 offices, and these premises are its first in the Bridgend area since 2007. Cooke & Arkwright and joint agent James Lang LaSalle acted for the landlord, Brackla House Limited in the deal and Marchmont Surveyors represented Working Links.
Marcella Maxwell, Working Links’ director for Wales said, “Brackla House meets the criteria for delivery of the programme generally and for Bridgend specifically. Not only is it the right size but it’s also in the right location. It’s very important for us to work in the heart of the communities we help and to be close to the Jobcentre Plus offices to help our customers on their journey to find meaningful work. It has also been refurbished to a high standard, which means that we have been able to go on-site and commence our adaptation works without any need for basic rectification. The offices will be fitted out to create multi-functioning rooms to enable us to deliver the programme effectively.”
Kate Simpson of Cooke & Arkwright said, “High unemployment is a key social and economic challenge for Wales and so we are delighted that Working Links has chosen Brackla House as a base from which it can support people back into work. Brackla House is very accessible for people in Bridgend and the surrounding areas, just a short distance from rail and bus communications in the town centre and with quick links to the A48 and M4 motorway. Having also recently let space to Remploy, we now only have a few suites remaining.”
Kevin Davies of Marchmont said “Brackla House is a great property for Working Links. Its size and location is perfect for their requirement. The landlord has been very easy to deal with and offered the right terms to secure their interest. Marchmont have acquired a number of offices for Working Links in the last four months as part of the new Work Programme and the leasing at Brackla House has been one of the smoothest transactions.”