Waterworks expansion to create new hub and jobs

The refurbishment will see about 300 people being based there, including some new entry-level staff, Severn Trent said

Water company Severn Trent has said it will spend £4m repurposing its site in Edgbaston to establish a Midlands hub creating new jobs and relocating others.

The refurbishment will see as many as 300 people being based there, including some new entry-level staff, the firm said.

The Grade II listed water tower at the site, which was built in 1870, is thought to be the inspiration for the Two Towers in J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

The investment will mean "a pipeline of hundreds of future jobs and opportunities", Severn Trent added, with work already under way which will likely take up to 18 months.

The site is currently used by water technicians and engineers with some office space which will be revamped to become a flagship base.

"Birmingham is the biggest city in our region and the UK's second city, so investing in new office space, creating a major Midlands hub and growing our teams here was a no-brainer," Severn Trent's HR direction Neil Morrison said.

"While the site currently supports our water network teams, this investment will bring up to 300 additional employees to the location, utilising our spaces and bringing more people, teams, and opportunities to Brum."

The announcement comes as the company plans a £15bn investment scheme across the Midlands over the next five years.

Mr Morrison said the firm was committed to creating more jobs and he welcomed the announcement of "a number" of entry-level roles opening in Edgbaston in the new few weeks.

Preet Gill, MP for Edgbaston, said she welcomed the news and to see the transformation of the site.

Severn Trent said while work was under way it expected new teams to be at the site from autumn.