Gamesys goes for Arcadia’s old HQ

AN online gaming operator has agreed to take a new UK head office at the West End building once home to Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia before its collapse.

Gamesys has completed a deal for about 100,000 sq ft of space, in a graphic illustration of how the UK’s economy has shifted during the pandemic.

The space at Colegrave House on Berners Street was previously the home of former Topshop owner Arcadia, run by Green (below), which went into administration in November 2020.

Gamesys, which is behind brands games such as Jackpotjoy, is currently in smaller space in the capital.

The expansion comes less than two months after US casino entertainment firm Bally’s Corporation acquired the business in a £2 billion deal.

Around 1000 staff will be based out of the office and Gamesys is looking to hire more workers in the capital. A Gamesys spokesman said: “We are proud to be committing our future to London, where we have been based for the last 20 years.

“As we embrace hybrid working it’s important to have a brilliant space for face to face collaboration and we look forward to moving in the middle of 2022.”

Property agents Monmouth Dean and Cushman & Wakefield were involved in the letting.

Richard Howard at the latter, which advised the private landlord, said: “This represents the ever-growing momentum in the recovery story for London offices.”

Landlords have reported growing business demand for environmentally-friendly space with good transport links, even if staff are only there for part of the week as flexible working is embraced.