Nestlé announces £9 million office upgrade to create new post-pandemic workplace

Nestlé has revealed plans to refurbish its Nestlé House offices at its York campus to create a greener, more flexible workplace for a post-pandemic world.

The refurbishment at the Haxby Road site will see the office space transformed to offer employees an environment with new and varied working areas. Alongside traditional desk space and designated quiet areas, there will be more places for people to meet and to collaborate and connect informally.

According to Nestlé, after more than a year of working from home, employees will return to the office with an emphasis on collaboration and flexibility while maintaining a blend of home and office working.

The build, which includes a complete revamp of the building’s plumbing, heating and electrics, has been brought forward so that work can begin while there are fewer people on site. It is the first major refurbishment since Nestlé House was built in 1969. The new office, which houses 900 employees, is scheduled to reopen from January 2022. 

Stefano Agostini, CEO for Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be investing in our York site. Nestlé House is the home of our famous confectionery business and many of our critical functions. It has a significant heritage and is fundamental to the future of our business.

“This investment will help us to provide a modern working environment that supports the health and wellbeing of our people. The new design provides a collaborative working space which is essential for us to come together and connect. 

“The design is also kinder to the planet, with energy efficiency solutions to reduce the amount of energy required for heating, lighting and cooling in the building, among other improvements. This supports Nestlé’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach our target of ‘net zero’ by 2050,” added Agostini. 

Once restrictions are lifted there will be a number of temporary options for employees wanting to work on the site and there are plans for dogs to return to the office with their owners once the refurbishment is complete.