Core Five completes cost consultancy on YASA fit-out at Bicester Motion

Core Five said it has completed its cost consultancy role on the fit-out of YASA's new headquarters at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire, with the fit-out reaching completion in August 2026.

The firm, which describes itself as an independent construction cost consultancy, said it advised YASA from RIBA Stage 2 through to completion. Despite the specialist nature of the works, it said the scheme was procured through a competitive single-stage tender, which gave YASA early cost certainty.

Core Five said the facility combines specialist manufacturing, research and development and office space for YASA's work in electric motor technology. It put the building at over 100,000ft². Bicester Motion, YASA and architect 3DReid have all given the base build as 90,000 sq ft (8,361 sq m), and YASA's original pre-let announcement in March 2024 referred to 88,000 sq ft.

Two project teams

Core Five's role sat on the tenant side. The landlord's base build was delivered by a separate team. Bicester Motion announced on 27 August 2025 that Kier had completed the £26.8m shell, the first phase of its development The Ranges, with 3D Reid, Edgars, IKS Consulting, Stantec, Motion, Nicholsons, Aurochs Ecology and Worlledge Associates as consultants. 3DReid lists IKS as quantity surveyor and project manager on the base build, with Hydrock as structural engineer.

Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive officer of Bicester Motion, said at the time: "Congratulations to the whole Kier team and its supply chain on completing YASA's new HQ at The Ranges."

According to Bicester Motion, more than 500 construction people worked on site during the base build and six apprentices completed 150 apprentice weeks. Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier, said: "We are proud of our work at The Ranges and of the social value carried out as part of this fantastic project."

Funding and lease

YASA announced in March 2024 that it had taken a 15-year lease on the first phase of The Ranges, across three interconnected buildings. The company, which grew out of an Oxford University PhD in 2009 and is part of Mercedes-Benz, employs over 400 people across several sites in Oxfordshire. The buildings target BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC A rating, YASA said.

Bicester Motion secured a £26.8m development loan from Cain International in October 2024 to deliver the HQ and appointed Kier as construction partner the same month. Its completion announcement in August 2025 said the base build had been funded by Eldridge.

John Bentley, chief financial officer at Bicester Motion, said when the loan was agreed that it enabled the estate to support YASA's growth plans and its 400-strong staff team.

The programme

The project's timetable moved over its life. In March 2024 YASA targeted practical completion of the base build for spring 2025 and relocation in January 2026. At ground-breaking in September 2024 it expected base-build completion in summer 2025, with fit-out to follow and many teams moving in January 2026.

By base-build completion in August 2025, Bicester Motion said YASA teams would relocate from summer 2026 once the fit-out was complete. Core Five's announcement puts fit-out completion at August 2026.

The site

Bicester Motion is a 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire, within the historic RAF Bicester site. The Ranges, designed by 3DReid, sits on the former rifle ranges, and 3DReid said the building unites production, warehousing and workspace under one roof.

Bicester Motion said phase 2 of The Ranges will total 124,000 sq ft (11,519 sq m) across four buildings.

The Ranges	Floor area (sq ft)
Phase 1 (YASA HQ base build)	90,000
Phase 2 (four buildings)	124,000

Core Five said the YASA scheme is another example of its work in advanced manufacturing and R&D environments, where commercial and technical decisions are closely linked.