Northern Trains selects Piccadilly Place for 11,000 sq ft training academy

The train operator will move into vacant space on the ground and first floor of Longmead Capital and Revcap’s Four Piccadilly Place.

Occupying 2,700 sq ft on the ground floor and 8,400 sq ft on the first floor, the 11,200 sq ft Northern Trains training academy will provide a place for drivers, conductors, and rail apprentices to hone their skills.

The ground floor space was previously occupied by Simply Fresh, while the first floor space was home to an insolvency firm.

Northern’s academy will feature classrooms, office space, driving simulators, and a passenger cabin simulator.

Lambert Smith Hampton advised on the deal.

Longmead and Revcap acquired Piccadilly Place for around £143m in 2021. Other occupiers at the 360,000 sq ft 3 and 4 Piccadilly Place include Barclays, Arcadis, NHS, Locktons, The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and Scenic Tours.

Last year, Atkins signed for 38,000 sq ft at Three Piccadilly Place while Arup increased its presence in 2023.

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