PROPERTY
Circling the Square
Future focus - Six Centre Square will be ready to occupy early in 2023 .
How Centre Square offices are helping occupiers meet today ’ s challenges
High aims - Mark Ashall , managing director of Ashall Projects .
The third building in Middlesbrough ’ s showpiece Centre Square office development is well on its way to completion .
The project was launched six years ago by Ashall Projects , whose managing director Mark Ashall shares his reflections with Tees Business .
Mark , it ’ s fair to say that businesses have faced a variety of challenges in recent years . MA : Ours certainly has . During the last three years , Covid has led to a substantial change in working practices and norms . Staff have been asked to work from home for extended periods and many companies are still wrestling with the right mix between working from home and the office .
The war in Ukraine has now led to sharp increases in energy prices , with the price of electricity charged to businesses currently four or five times last year ’ s level . While the cost is expected to fall a little next summer , it ’ s believed prices will remain high for some considerable time .
At the same time , the impact of climate change is becoming increasingly apparent and many businesses and people are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint . This process is also being driven by the UK government , which is seeking to introduce higher standards for the energy efficiency of commercial buildings .
By 2027 they ’ ll have to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate ( EPC ) C rating ; three years later , a grade B will be required . Our Centre Square buildings are all rated EPC A , so they would not be affected by these changes .
What are the implications for Centre Square ? MA : Selecting the right office is obviously a major decision for a business , which often focuses on the financial implications of the
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