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Nabil Hanafi
London Communications Agency
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4 October 2007 - Back

Sainsbury’s announces relocation of Holborn central officeSainsbury’s announces relocation of Holborn central office

Sainsbury’s today announced that it has secured new premises for its store support centre, currently based in Holborn, London. The company will relocate in early 2011 to premises in King’s Cross, London.

The relocation will significantly reduce Sainsbury’s central office costs. The decision to relocate to the new King’s Cross Central development was also aided by the site’s impressive environmental credentials and on the proximity to the company’s current offices, which will minimise any potential disruption to Sainsbury’s and its colleagues.

Justin King chief executive, said: “We are pleased to be part of this new development and the regeneration of this area and were attracted to the site as its outstanding environmental credentials support our aim to reduce energy use across our business.

“We have been looking at the possibility of finding alternative premises for around 18 months and have considered a wide range of locations. Taking all aspects of the relocation into account, King’s Cross Central provides a great solution. In addition to its energy efficiency, the new premises will deliver cost savings to the business while allowing us to remain within our traditional heartland, and thereby minimise any potential disruption.“

The development at King’s Cross Central will deliver carbon savings through:

  • energy efficient building design, fabric and technology
  • the installation of distributed Combined Heat and Power energy centres which will use the heat generated to provide cooling for buildings
  • renewable energy technologies


All these activities are already being trialled or have been introduced into Sainsbury’s store network. But King’s Cross Central allows the company to start designing a central support office with similar aspirations. Sainsbury’s also plans to be heavily involved in the design of the working environment for its colleagues and will work with Argent, the developer, to introduce, wherever appropriate, the latest thinking in environmental and sustainable best practices.

The development will also include roof-mounted wind turbines, photovoltaics (solar cell technology), ground source heat pumps and solar thermal systems for generating hot water. When combined, these measures are likely to reduce site carbon emissions by some 40 per cent, compared with industry benchmarks.

Sainsbury’s also plans to develop a supermarket that will be complementary to the development’s cultural and sustainability aspirations.

The King’s Cross Central development is a joint venture between Argent, London & Continental Railways and DHL-Exel and is a 67-acre Brownfield site with the best public transport links in London, including access to six tube lines and two mainline stations. The plans include 1,900 new homes, 50 new buildings, refurbishment and re-use of 20 historic buildings with mixed-use combining office space, entertainment, retail, health, leisure and schooling.

Roger Madelin, Joint Chief Executive of Argent said: “King’s Cross Central is one of the most sustainable developments yet to come forward in London. It already has the best public transport accessibility in the Capital and this will increase still further when St Pancras International opens for High Speed One services on 14 November 2007. We have already started enabling works and are delighted to welcome Sainsbury’s to the first phase which will also include other speculative offices, shopping, an energy centre, new homes, new streets and public squares.”

For more information contact Lara Correia or Lara Alden, both at London Communications Agency, on 020 7612 8480