HRMC officials have responded to criticism over their Nottingham building being 'lit up like a Christmas tree' amidst the ongoing energy crisis. The nine-storey Unity Square, the Government's new East Midlands hub with 5,000 members of staff, has been criticised for seemingly keeping its lights on all throughout the day, amidst a energy price crisis for the general public and businesses being forced to close.
In a Twitter thread discussing the tower's lighting, some Nottingham residents described the tower as being 'lit up like a Christmas tree'. Councillor Sally Longford, who represents Lenton & Wollaton East for Labour on the city council, and who is the portfolio holder responsible for energy environment and waste services, added: "I think it’s a disgrace @HMRCgovuk but then I didn’t vote for the plan at [planning] committee!"
In a response to concerns over energy wastage at the building, HMRC said they were currently fitting motion sensors to activate the lights. They added that security guards and cleaners were routinely in the building, which opened in April, despite it appearing empty.
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A spokesperson for HMRC said: “Unity Square is a new building, and we are still in a period of fine turning our control systems. We expect this work to be completed shortly and the lights, which are fitted with sensors which are motion activated, will be re-programmed to remain on for a reduced amount of time after last detected movement and with a reduced number of lights being activated outside of office hours.
“Our security guards regularly patrol the building, and we have contractors, including cleaners, undertaking works outside of office hours which means that the lights are often on when the building appears to be unoccupied."
After many years and a number of failed plans, including hopes for a new Channel 4 base and a hotel, the state-of-the-art office block opened in Queensbridge Road, opposite Nottingham Railway Station. HMRC and the UK Government signed a 25-year lease for the nine-storey office block back in 2018.
Around 1,000 employees moved in on April 11 with a further 4,000 expected to have moved in by May this year. Most work for HMRC but a number work as civil servants for other Government departments. An additional 100 jobs have been created as staff were moved from the former Castle Meadow building nearby.
The site, off Queen's Road and Sheriffs Way, was once home to a multi-storey car park which was flattened in 2017. Work to construct the tower commenced some years later and it has now been completed. Another huge office block is also planned on land next to Unity Square.
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