Insurance company Direct Line has earmarked four sites in the Birmingham area to fulfil its requirement for a 5,574 sq m (60,000 sq ft) call centre operation.
The insurer is thought to have asked for details on a number of sites in the city, including Miller Development’s Snow Hill House and Argent’s Brindleyplace mixed-use development. It is also considering AMEC’s Parklands business park out-of-town.
However, David Allen of Allen Associates, who is advising Direct Line, denied that a short list has already been drawn up. “At the moment, we have a totally open mind and are looking at options in the city centre and out-of-town.”
He added that, on a purely cost level, taking a pre-let would be the most likely option: “The pre-let route is going to be, economically, the favoured one because we will not need to be in the building for another two years or so.”
Direct Line is looking to take advantage of a break clause in March 2000 and move from its current offices on Colmore Row in the city centre. According to Allen, the ideal building would provide modern, air conditioned, flexible space with floorplate sizes between 743 to 1,114 sq m (8,000 and 12,000 sq ft).
EGi News 25/03/98
