Two sites in Derby have made the final shortlist for a new Great British Railways HQ.
They are city centre brownfield site Becketwell and Midland House, an existing railway building opposite Derby station. Three other candidates have been ruled out.
Derby was named as the home of GBR’s HQ in March 2023 after a competition which originally involved dozens of towns, and the city has also been home to a GBR Transition Team office in John Ellis House since 2024.
The final decision is expected before the end of 2026, and the DfT said it will be made when various factors have been taken into account, including regeneration and economic value, value for money, and environmental and social impact.
Rail minister Lord Hendy said: ‘Derby will be the heart of Great British Railways and with these shortlisted locations, we’re one step closer to bringing highly-skilled jobs to a city already brimming with rail industry history and talent.
‘We’re working with local partners and teams around the country to design an organisation that will put passengers front and centre, driving jobs, growth and innovation in the Midlands and beyond.’
Network Rail chief executive Jeremy Westlake added: ‘This is an important step forward on our journey to GBR. Having lived and worked in Derby for 18 years, it is an excellent location for a national transport organisation like Great British Railways, with all its rail heritage and strong industrial base.’
The DfT added that while Derby will host the new HQ, GBR will be closer to the communities it serves, with local leaders given a clear voice in how the railway is run in their areas. This will include the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.
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