Blackpool civil service office starting development

A new Ministry of Defence office has started construction in Blackpool, which involves a collaboration between Blackpool Council working with development partner Muse Places and construction company VINCI Building.

The new Civil Service building will be 53,000 square feet and hold up to 1,100 staff from Defence Business Services (DBS).

DBS is the MOD’s shared services organisation and provides corporate services across information and technology, finance, procurement and people function to the whole of defence, including serving military, veterans and civilian staff, as well as other government departments.The move to Blackpool contains the DBS northwest estate into a single, purpose-built office owned by MOD, which will save the taxpayer money in the long run.

The new defence estate will receive £5.1 billion investment and will include new and refurbished military accommodation for over 40,000 service personnel and their families, alongside technical, training and office space for over 64,000 people, including civilian staff.

The building is set to be complete in 2027.

Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is another major step forward in our plans to make Blackpool better. We’re grateful to government for recognising Blackpool’s economic potential and continuing to invest and help us create quality jobs for local people.

“Officers from both the council and government have work exceptionally hard to make this deal possible. With over 8,000 workers and students coming to the town centre in the next few years, this provides a phenomenal opportunity and confidence for local businesses to continue to invest and hire more local people.”