Functions and Occupation of The Buildings
Parts of Shell's business which are run from Shell Centre include refining and marketing along with a number of functional support activities such as finance and human resources. Shell Centre is also the head office of Shell’s United Kingdom business (Shell UK Ltd.) which was formerly located in Shell Mex House.
In 2004, a planning application was approved to convert the lower floors of the Upstream Building courtyard and the former staff cafeteria into a shopping centre, and to construct a contrasting new glazed office building on the Podium site to the south, which is currently a paved open space. The sculptures would be relocated.
In 2009 staff working in the building were notified of a proposal to redevelop much of the site whilst leaving the tower intact. This would require relocating staff during 2011 for up to seven years whilst construction work took place, incorporating parts of the open spaces around the current building. No planning permission has yet been sought.
In July 2011 Shell announced that a joint venture of Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar had bought a virtual freehold (a 999-year lease) on the Shell Centre for £300m and would redevelop the site. The tower is to be left in place, but the rest of the site would be replaced by a new scheme of offices, shops and restaurants.
Shell Centre has also been a place for unofficial "urban sports". The square in the middle of the complex was originally used by skateboarders, but anti-skating measures were put in place. However, freerunners continued to use it as a place to train. However, recently it has been blocked off during refurbishment works on the tower.
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