BP to leave Sunbury HQ – but what does it actually mean for residents?
Oil giant BP has announced plans to leave its long-standing headquarters in Sunbury-on-Thames by 2028.
The eye-raising move is a tremendous blow to Spelthorne and was “unexpected” according to council leaders.
Spelthorne Borough Council, which owns the site, said there is “no immediate concern” to its financial position as BP is still tied into lease agreements.
The council understands the company will continue paying rent and associated costs, even after it moves out and one of those leases does not expire until 2036.
Around 1,800 staff are currently based at the campus, and while their roles are expected to relocate elsewhere, the longer-term economic knock-on for the area is still unclear.
Cllr Lawrence Nichols, Chair of the Commercial Assets Sub-Committee said: “While this marks a significant change, it is important to emphasise that there is time to plan properly.”
He said the council will work with BP and advisors to figure out what comes next for the site: whether that means new tenants, redevelopment, or something else entirely.
But behind the reassurance, there are bigger questions bubbling under the surface.
The BP site is not just any office block. It is a cornerstone of the council’s finances.
Spelthorne bought the campus for around £385m in 2016 as part of a wider strategy to offset deep cuts in government funding by investing in commercial property. In 2023, the Sunbury site was valued at £302.35m.
Rental income from assets like this helps pay for everyday services, from parks and community centres to meals on wheels and transport schemes.
The council said income from its property portfolio has contributed more than £60m towards local services over the past decade.
But this reliance is a crucial issue. A 2025 government inspection report warned the council is heavily dependent on a small number of major tenants with BP chief among them.
It also flagged a lack of solid long-term plans for what happens when leases end, including the possibility of BP leaving.
The timing is also tricky. Part of the BP site, known as the South-West Corner, is due to come to the end of its lease in 2028 and is already seen as more challenging due to its age and condition.
Add to that, ‘Spelthorne’ as an entity is not going to exist after April 1, 2027, meaning the lease arrangements could be transferred to the new West Surrey authority.
Moreover, wider pressures in the office market, including hybrid working and falling property values, and finding a new tenant may not be straightforward without significant investment.
The council has already been grappling with financial strain, including lower-than-expected rental income across its portfolio and a projected budget gap in the coming years.
Still, the council leader is striking a measured tone. Cllr Joanne Sexton said: “This news is unexpected, but I want to reassure our residents and local businesses that we will take a measured approach, working with BP and expert advisors to explore options that benefit our community, support local employment, and make the best use of this key site.”
For now, nothing changes overnight. Rent is still being paid, services are still funded, and there is time to figure things out.
A BP spokesperson said: “We are taking steps to build a simpler, stronger and more valuable bp, including bringing our teams and leaders closer together.
“This office move will help us to work smarter and faster, strengthen decision-making, and create more opportunities for meaningful, in-person collaboration.”