JD Sports releases new HQ plans, space for hundreds more staff

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jul 13, 2022

JD Sports has drawn up plans to build a new head office in Greater Manchester with space for 2,000 employees. Land in Pilsworth, Bury, has been earmarked for the scheme, next to its current headquarters which is split over three buildings, reported BusinessLive.

The 2.3-hectare site would create 8,045 sq m of gross internal floorspace and 172 car-parking spaces.

According to documents filed with Bury Council, the new head office would allow JD Sports to increase the number of staff based there from around 1,300 to 2,000. If backed, the building would also include a gym, restaurant, creche and outdoor sports facilities.

A statement submitted to the authority said: “The business is seeking to work with their employees to improve staff retention and [has] undertaken a series of internal reviews to understand the steps the business needs to take to achieve this.

“Coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, this has seen a shift towards more flexible ways of working with the introduction of flexi-time and working from home”.

It added: “In addition to these measures, JD recognise the need to update and improve on the benefits that the business provides for employees.

“First and foremost is the provision of childcare for employees with very young children to alleviate pressures on new parents and improve issues around annual leave over school holidays. Other requirements include… training environments and collaborative working spaces”.

The report said a final decision on the application is expected to be made in the coming months.