As demand for high-quality and affordable office space in Bristol rises, one of the city’s most iconic buildings is now 70 per cent full following the arrival of three new firms.
Bath Road Studios is now home to Apriori Digital, a start-up digital games and software development company, jewellery distributor Lizas UK and videographers Ren&I, reinforcing the demand from SMEs and start-ups wanting to take space in this emerging creative community.
London-based Cube Real Estate, owners of the former ITV Studios, is welcoming this latest group of tenants who are positioning the building as a hot-bed for exciting new creative companies.
The space acts as a platform for collaboration and provides tenants with the opportunity to form new business partnerships which is often a requirement for smaller companies.
Richard Mackriell, managing director of Apriori Digital said: “With car parking, a main bus route and 24 hour access to facilities, Bath Road Studios seemed an obvious choice for us. It provides an impressive working environment that not only benefits our existing team but is also an advantage when employing more people.
“We’re thrilled to be working within a hub of other small and creative teams, making collaboration an option for us, which is something we haven’t had access to before.”
Lizas UK is run by entrepreneur Sarah Strong, who says that a suitable working environment is what she needs to take her business to the next level.
She said: “It’s important for us to have a working environment that we feel inspired in; a place that drives creativity and motivation, whilst providing a practical space to work with.
“We have previously been running the business from home but with its current level of success, we feel confident that the space here will provide us with the incentive to expand further.”
Bath Road Studios is an iconic landmark building that has been transformed to provide creative office space from 300 sq ft upwards following the £1.2m refurbishment project by Cube Real Estate. The remodelled reception provides an open, contemporary space with high quality finishes and a spacious break-out area for use by the buildings occupiers.
Ruari Laidlaw of Cube Real Estate commented: “We’ve certainly seen a renewed sense of enthusiasm for taking space and building businesses. Tenants now have the confidence to take space on a longer term basis, they have renewed confidence in the market and economy, it is great news and encouraging to see.
“We have invested significantly in the building and specifically looked to target the technology, media and telecoms sector. Working closely with our architects, Stiff & Trevillion we feel we have created a really exciting place to work and we are delighted to welcome Apriori Digital, Lizas UK and Ren&I to the scheme which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Current occupiers include ITV West Country, Friska,Hurricane Media, Artswork Media (from Bath Spa University Media Department) and Early Bird Productions.
The building is also home to The Set, an innovative workspace that operates as a membership club where like-minded businesses can network and share skills and ideas. Its collaborative base removes the isolation of working from home, while offering contemporary facilities.
Monthly membership of The Set is offered at £250 per calendar month, pay as you go, but annual membership is offered at £200 per month. Daily membership is offered at £30 a day with a £250 joining fee but introductory rates are available.
The building is readily accessible from the city centre, the M32 motorway and a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads Train Station. Occupiers benefit from an impressive array of amenities in close proximity, including Sainsbury’s and Avon Meads Retail Park.
The offices are being marketed by leasing agents Knight Frank and Jones Lang LaSalle.
