SharkNinja, a leading global supplier of vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances, is moving its Yorkshire headquarters from Wakefield to Leeds.
In a significant deal brokered by the Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank, SharkNinja is taking 16,021 sq ft of quality office space at Century Way, Thorpe Park.
Knight Frank advised both SharkNinja and the landlord, Canal & River Trust in what is one of the biggest out-of-town office deals in Yorkshire this year.
Elizabeth Ridler, partner with Knight Frank in Leeds commented: “This is a very significant deal, underlining the popularity and pulling power of Thorpe Park. This superb business park is going from strength to strength – there’s a huge buzz about it now, which is thoroughly deserved.”
Jon Wright of SharkNinja explained: “We are moving to Thorpe Park as part of the significant growth the business has incurred over the last few years. In fact, Shark is the UK’s fastest growing vacuum cleaner brand1 and the UK’s best-selling upright vacuum cleaner brand2.
“We moved into our current unit at Calder Park in Wakefield in 2014 with less than 20 people and now have over 90 employees based from Leeds. We have approximately 230 employees in the UK now.
“We needed a site which could support continued growth, attract strong talent from the region and represent our European head office as we drive our EU growth moving forward. SharkNinja are investing £1M into the fit-out of the office to create a state-of-the art office facility.
He added: “This will enable us to work closely with our US group using video conferencing and provide a great platform to showcase our market leading products to retailers.”
Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and NP11 said:
“I’m delighted that through the Growth Service, the LEP has supported SharkNinja to retain their headquarters in the Leeds City Region.
“It’s vital that we continue to support growing businesses to drive economic growth and create more jobs, and I encourage all to get in touch and access the support available.”
SharkNinja has taken a five-year lease at Century Way. The rent is £19.25 per sq ft and 3150 Century Way is now fully occupied.
Elizabeth Ridler added: “As an office, we were delighted to be involved in both sides of this important deal. It is a real testament to Thorpe Park that a successful company like SharkNinja should base its northern UK headquarters here.
“SharkNinja will be taking the first and part of the second floor of 3150 Century Way, together with 66 on-site parking spaces. The offices have been comprehensively refurbished by Canal & River Trust and managed by Lambert Smith Hampton to include new decoration throughout, LED lighting and new carpets.
“There is an acute shortage of good quality stock of this size, so this excellent off-market opportunity was a perfect solution. The deal is also a resounding endorsement of all the benefits of Thorpe Park, one of the north of England’s premier business parks.
“Thorpe Park provides excellent facilities to support the well-being of staff, whilst befitting from a superb strategic location, just off Junction 46 of the M1 and close to the A1 and M62. The quality of the accommodation is also first class,” said Ms Ridler, “as are the neighbouring amenities”.
Ben Johnson Interiors of York undertook the fit-out on behalf of SharkNinja.
