WORK on the new UK headquarters for cruise giant Carnival in Southampton has finished two months ahead of schedule.

Property development and investment company Development Securities said work was now beginning on the interior fit out of the 210,000 square foot building.

The landmark building on WestQuay Road will house the 900 Southampton workers of Carnival, the US based owner of Cunard, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, among eight global brands, and has room for a further 300 staff.

Currently Carnival’s offices are spread across the city.

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Duncan Trench, head of delivery at Development Securities, said: “We have successfully delivered a modern and flexible new office space for Carnival UK.”

David Dingle, chief executive of Carnival UK, said: “We are excited at the prospect of moving the Carnival UK business into this landmark property and are very pleased with the building which we will be occupying next year. This state-of-the-art working environment will enable us to consolidate staff from five different locations, enhance our efficiency and provide a highlyenjoyable place in which to work."

Councillor Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic development, said: “Southampton City Council is extremely proud that the world’s largest cruise shipping company Carnival has chosen to base its UK headquarters here and that Development Securities has delivered such a remarkable building.We congratulate them both for joining in our vision to put Southampton at the forefront of European cities.”