GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out has secured a £20m contract to refurbish HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Telford office complex in Shropshire. The project, which began earlier this year, will modernise a three-storey 1990s office building and two ancillary facilities previously used as a restaurant and gym. HMRC is relocating to the refurbished site, which will also host HM Land Registry, creating a shared government workplace.
The scheme aims to deliver a flexible, sustainable, and secure environment tailored to the operational needs of both organisations. Work is scheduled for completion next year under a phased approach to minimise disruption.
Office Complex Transformation
The main three-storey concrete-framed office building will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment. This includes strip-outs, upgraded partitions and ceilings, and the installation of new mechanical and electrical systems. Refurbished washrooms, breakout areas, and modern audio-visual equipment will also be introduced to enhance collaboration.
Externally, the site will benefit from roofing and façade repairs, glazing replacement, and improved landscaping to provide a more welcoming and professional workplace environment.
Repurposing Ancillary Structures
The two additional buildings on site will be repurposed into specialist facilities. The former restaurant is being transformed into a flexible meeting suite featuring moveable walls, breakout spaces, and integrated AV technology. Meanwhile, the former gym is being converted into a cycle and welfare hub, offering indoor cycle storage, showers, and drying rooms to support sustainable commuting.
These upgrades reflect HMRC’s push for greener and healthier workspaces, aligning with broader government sustainability goals.
Enabling and Main Works Phases
The project is being executed in distinct stages to ensure smooth delivery. Enabling works include strip-outs, entrance lobby creation, and external repairs. The main fit-out phase will then introduce high-quality partitions, lighting systems, and energy-efficient installations.
This phased strategy minimises disruption and allows for better management of complex design and build requirements under the JCT Design & Build contract.
Security and Accessibility Enhancements
Alongside internal improvements, significant investment is being made in site security and accessibility. Plans include new rising bollards, upgraded external lighting, and improved barrier systems. EV charging points are also being installed to encourage the use of electric vehicles among staff.
Additional soft landscaping and woodland path development will create a more welcoming and sustainable environment for employees and visitors alike.
Collaboration with HM Land Registry
Once complete, the Telford office will become a joint hub for HMRC and HM Land Registry. This collaboration is designed to improve efficiency, share resources, and strengthen inter-departmental operations.
The move to Telford marks part of HMRC’s broader estate strategy, consolidating sites across the UK while ensuring workplaces meet modern government standards.
Industry Reaction
James Shannon, Project Manager at GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out, welcomed the contract:
“We are pleased to be delivering this significant refurbishment in Telford, which will provide HMRC and HM Land Registry with a modern, flexible and secure workplace. The scheme involves the complete refurbishment of the main office building and the transformation of two ancillary facilities, delivered in phased works. Our priority is to provide a high-quality outcome that meets the operational needs of both organisations.”
The contract follows GRAHAM’s recent success in delivering projects for the Department for Education, including the new Oasis Academy in Bristol.
The £20m refurbishment of HMRC’s Telford office complex represents a significant investment in modernising government workplaces. By repurposing old facilities into flexible meeting areas and cycle hubs, while enhancing security, accessibility, and sustainability, the scheme reflects a forward-looking approach to public sector infrastructure.
With completion due next year, the project will establish Telford as a key regional hub for HMRC and HM Land Registry. For contractors like GRAHAM, the deal reinforces its reputation as a trusted delivery partner on high-profile government projects.
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