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A national music web platform company and a blue chip communications agency are the newest tenants drawn to Igloo’s distinctive commercial spaces in Holbeck Urban Village, Leeds, where creative and digital businesses, which are a source of expansion in the region’s economy and account for six per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) across Yorkshire, are riding through the recession.
FanTactics, which provides online systems for musicians and those in the music industry allowing them to address all web based issues from one place, has leased for three years an 845 sq ft unit in Igloo’s Marshalls Mill development. The company’s seven staff, made up of ex-artist managers, musicians, IT experts, marketing specialists and industry veterans relocated from their previous location in The Calls in the centre of Leeds in January of this year. The move is due to the company’s expansion thanks to several new client wins including Freebass and Peter Hook which add to FanTactics’s growing client base of music industry artists including Grammy nominated Chris Rea, Leeds based The Little Black Hearts and pop punk stalwarts The Blockheads.
FanTactics were attracted to the area as it is already home to a wide range of media and creative businesses, based in Marshalls Mill and also the Igloo owned award winning Round Foundry which combine to create a buzz to the area which is both innovative and productive. A rare example in Leeds of heritage and contemporary design, the space at Marshalls Court has provided a high quality open plan office and a unique place to work which also offers easy access to both the city centre and motorways.
CEO at FanTactics, Nick Holden, feels the team have found their natural home: “We felt at home as soon as the guitar and amplifier were plugged in; they have taken pride of place in the office. Being in the centre of what is rapidly becoming the media hotspot of Leeds is ideal and we had lots of support from the Igloo team when we moved in and already have made friends with our new neighbours in Marshalls Mill.”
Also joining the burgeoning creative community inhabiting Igloo’s spaces is communications agency Touch, specialists in live events, video and interactive media for clients that include Gillette, Birds Eye, Pantene and Max Factor. The company previously was based in York Place, Leeds before an increase of fresh contracts led to the recruitment of new staff resulting in a need for bigger premises. They have now taken up 1,722 sq ft on the first floor of Marshalls Court on a ten year lease.
Julie Shaw, Managing Director at Touch, commented: “We settled in very quickly to Holbeck Urban Village life – it’s a great creative community here. Marshalls Court is a really inspiring work-place – light, spacious and vibrant, I love coming in to work. We’re enjoying taking advantage of everything the area has to offer from the nearby cheap parking to the excellent places to eat and drink – perfect for entertaining clients.”
