A minister opened the government’s new £100m eco-office in Blackpool saying he hopes civil servants will head to the seaside to use it – and work less from home. More than 3,000 staff members for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are moving into the £100m building on the resort’s King Street from other sites around Fylde, in Lancashire.
It’s an energy efficient support centre, that uses no fossil fuels for heating or domestic hot water and includes open plan working areas, meeting rooms, quiet zones and other flexible workplace settings. The 215,000 square foot Fylde View site forms part of the £350m Talbot Gateway regeneration of the town centre to create a Central Business District.
But as he opened it Minister for Transformation Andrew Western said the government encourages people to work from the office “to collaborate and learn best practice”.
He went on: “The policy for much of government is that people need to be in at least three days a week.
“We want to give people flexibility where we can, but 60 per cent is the minimum expectation [for people to be in the office].”
He said of the new seven-storey building “we’ve got capacity for all 3,000 to be in full-time if they want, but we know that one of the big things that people look at in the jobs market is flexibility, so I think there’s an opportunity for both here.”
“It’s an absolutely fantastic building and it’s what I want to see more of across the DWP estate in the future,” he added
He added: “This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a centralised workspace, fostering collaboration and innovation among our teams.
“It is a testament to our dedication to creating efficient and sustainable working environments that support the vital work of our public servants.
“It will not only enhance productivity but also contribute significantly to the local economy by providing job opportunities and stimulating local businesses.
“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this Hub will have on our community and the broader public sector.”
The seven-storey building – located at King St near Blackpool North train station – has been designed to incorporate best practice in sustainable building design, construction, and operation. It also uses no fossil fuels for heating or domestic hot water.
The site opened operationally in March 2025 and will be fully staffed by mid-June.
Funding towards the building has been supported by a £4m grant from Lancashire Combined County Authority as part of the Lancashire Devolution Deal announced in November 2024.
Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “This is one of the most impressive builds in Blackpool in decades.
“It shows our ambitions to make Blackpool better for everybody who lives and works here and how we are transforming the area around the train station into a real central business district.
“Local people have found work and training on the construction, while the boost of bringing 3,000 new workers into the town centre should be felt by many businesses.
“The new landscaped space next to the building is a lovely green oasis for the town centre and anybody living or working here.”
Fylde View will also boast a DWP Health Assessment Centre located on the ground floor.
Alan McBride, technical director at builders Muse, said: “Completing the third phase of Talbot Gateway’s regeneration signifies a pivotal milestone on our journey with long-standing partners, Blackpool Council, to revitalise this iconic seaside destination and create opportunities for local people.
“By bringing over 3,000 employees into the heart of Blackpool, this highly sustainable workspace will stimulate economic growth, and dovetails with Blackpool Council’s aim to future-proof the town for generations.
“With further phases still to come too, our and the Council’s ambition to build a bolder and brighter future for Blackpool is being realised.”
The regeneration of Talbot Gateway has already delivered the 125,000 sq ft Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a Sainsbury’s supermarket, and a refurbished 650-space multi-storey car park.
A new four-star 144-bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and Marco Pierre White New York Italian restaurant opened in May 2024, while a tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool Promenade opened in June 2024.
Plans have also been approved for a multiversity campus for Blackpool and the Fylde College, bringing up to 3,000 students and staff into the area, with work expected to commence later this year.