HMRC will take approximately 378,000 sq ft at Wellington Place on a 25 year lease, marking the biggest ever commercial property letting in Leeds. The new city centre premises are set to be operational in 2020.

Wellington Place, which is located close to Leeds Station, forms one of the 13 regional centres which HMRC is setting up to consolidate teams previously based in 137 local offices and centres across the country.

Jon Thompson, HMRC chief executive, said: ‘We are delighted to be part of the new UK government hub in Wellington Place, Leeds. This is another step in HMRC’s transformation into a modern digitally advanced tax authority.

‘It’s the beginning of a process that will see around 3,800 colleagues come together in state-of-the art facilities, enabling closer working relationships and increasing our effectiveness in collecting taxes. It will also make HMRC an important contributor to the economy and to communities in and around Leeds.’

The government is planning 18-22 strategic hubs across the UK, which will accommodate different departments in shared buildings in London and in the regions. NHS Digital will also relocate to Wellington Place, which the Cabinet Office says will support the organisation’s move to enable smarter and more flexible working, and collaboration.

Caroline Nokes, minister for government resilience and efficiency, said: ‘The Leeds hubs will be a catalyst for growth in the surrounding cities and towns, helping rebalance the UK economy and underpin our strategy for a strong, well-connected northern powerhouse that can continue to provide good-quality jobs and economic growth across the region.’

Report by Pat Sweet