McCain shows commitment to Scarborough with plans to upgrade Eastfield head office

McCain, the UK’s number one frozen potato manufacturer, has today (May 24) announced the new plans which will see the Eastfield site transformed into a cutting-edge facility that responds to the effect the Covid-19 pandemic has had on office working.

This latest office upgrade comes shortly after a significant investment into the production facility on site in order to meet increased customer demand.

Howard Snape, GB President, McCain Foods said: “Scarborough has been our home for over 50 years.

"We’re dedicated to investing in the community and our business to ensure the best for our employees, both through our recent factory upgrade and this new redesign to our head office."

The new 34,000 sq ft workspace is being designed to attract and retain the best new talent and supports a new model of working both from home and the office, with the health and safety of employees at the heart of the upgrade.

The new office will implement the latest technology allowing employees to connect from home and feature spaces designed to maximise social distancing meaning employees can work safely and securely from the office should they choose to.

Alongside this the redesign will include a new state of the art kitchen which will assist the teams with product innovation and be used to showcase McCain and its products to new and existing customers across retail and hospitality.

The redesign remains subject to planning permission but if approved phase one of the redesign will start at the end of May with the full redesign to be completed by the end of the year.

Designed by Chameleon, a business interiors design specialist based in Hull with a focus on sustainability, the upgrade has sustainable practices integrated throughout.

This includes energy efficient lighting, carbon neutral flooring products and recycled furniture.

Since McCain opened the site in 1969 it has grown to become one of the area’s largest private employers with over 600 employees, and is heavily involved in partnerships with many suppliers and community organisations helping to boost local economy and employment.

Mr Snape added: "The design will ensure we are ready to accommodate new ways of working going forward whilst also being able to deliver broader sustainability benefits.

"We look forward to welcoming our employees back to the office so they can experience the redesign in person.”

Robert Goodwill, MP for Scarborough and Whitby said: “McCain is an iconic Scarborough business and has contributed a huge amount to the local area over the years, whether that’s through job creation or community initiatives, so it’s great to see this new investment into the Eastfield site.”

Michael Greene, CEO, Scarborough Council: “Our borough offers so much of a great work life balance and as we adapt into a new normal with hybrid working models it’s great to see that McCain are strengthening their commitment to the Scarborough area and its employees through the new redesign.

"We look forward to seeing the new design when it reopens at the end of the year.”