DWP leases entire No 1 West Bar Square in Sheffield

26/03/2026

The large West Bar mixed-use development of over one million square feet, between Castlegate and Kelham Island, is being delivered by local developer Urbo Regeneration Ltd, funded by Legal & General and will offer a range of high-quality city centre office accommodation and residential units, transforming the area and bringing jobs, new development and new residents.

No.1 West Bar Square is the first office building to be completed within the development, with the Department for Work and Pensions entering an agreement to lease the entire building, totaling 100,000 square feet.

This will be the largest office transaction in the city for several years.

The Sheffield Policy Campus is the national lead for the Government’s Opportunity Mission and the city is at the forefront of transforming how national policy is made – closer to and shaped with local people and places.

Sheffield already has over 7,000 civil servants in the city and with over 1,000 policy makers, has the largest concentration of policy professionals outside London.

DWP’s move to West Bar is another vital step in cementing Sheffield as a leader in national policy development and delivery.

This was announced whilst Antonio Simoes, CEO of L&G, was in Sheffield visiting West Bar to discuss the policy campus and innovation spine. Antonio also visited the site of the Castlegate development, where L&G, SCC, and The Sheffield College have entered into a statement of intent to support ambitious plans to develop the site including the potential for a new college campus.

The agreement with DWP is a further step to delivering Sheffield’s Growth Plan and rooting high quality, high skilled business and professional service jobs in the city. Alongside our major private sector professional service businesses, public services are vital to secure good jobs and a pipeline of career opportunities for people in Sheffield and across South Yorkshire as part of our growing economy.

“This is a significant announcement for Sheffield and a major step forward in the ongoing regeneration of West Bar. Derelict brownfield land has been replaced by high-quality offices and homes connected to the city centre, Castlegate and Kelham Island. We are delighted that the Department for Work and Pensions will be moving to West Bar. This is a clear commitment by the government to invest in Sheffield and work with us to grow our economy and create new opportunities for our residents.

We are proud that many government departments are located in the city and this new deal will further strengthen the work and growing reputation of the Sheffield Policy Campus. We will continue our work with the government and businesses to create new job opportunities in Sheffield.

Across the city we are working to bring empty land back into use, create new jobs and make Sheffield the best place to live and work. Building on this deal, we will work with our partners to continue the successful regeneration of West Bar.”

Cllr Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council

“Moving to West Bar is a really exciting moment for us. This isn’t just a change of address – it’s about bringing our teams together in a modern, sustainable workspace that’s fit for the future.

Consolidating from two older buildings into this new office will mean we can play our part in a city that’s growing and thriving by contributing to the local economy through providing job opportunities and stimulating local businesses.”

Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western

“West Bar is one of L&G’s flagship regeneration schemes which demonstrates the impact which long-term investment can have in supporting jobs, attracting employers and strengthening local economies. As one of the UK’s leading investors in real assets, we recognise the jobs and homes delivered at West Bar are vital to creating balanced, vibrant communities and provide long term sustainable economic growth opportunities for the city.

We will continue to work closely with Sheffield City Council and Urbo to drive forward the next phases of West Bar, delivering our shared long-term ambition to create a thriving new urban quarter.”

Ben Rodgers, Head of Regeneration from L&G