Acting school The Pauline Quirke Academy has moved into new premises at Bond’s Mill in Stonehouse – along with Aladdin and his flying carpet.
Marie Stimson-Machers has run the Stroud academy with husband Chris from their home in Stroud for more than six years.
They decided it was time to shift the admin out of their bedroom and garage and take a three-year lease on Suite 2 of The Counting House on the business estate in Stonehouse owned by Robert Hitchins Ltd.
“We had so much stuff – including a stage cow and two coffins in the garage. But we couldn’t find an office to fall in love with,” said Marie.
“Then we found the Counting House. We’ve jazzed it up with an Aladdin and a flying carpet. It’s perfect.”
The Pauline Quirke Academy Stroud is a performing arts school which runs classes every Saturday at St Matthew’s CofE School in Cainscross for children aged six to 18.
Helen Hawke from Robert Hitchins Ltd was pleased to welcome PQA to Bond’s Mill which is situated alongside the Stroudwater Canal in a mix of refurbished Victorian mill buildings and modern commercial premises.
“An admin office for a drama academy is a first for Bond’s Mill. It’s great to have such a variety of companies on one business estate,” she said.
Bond’s Mill is on the A419, close to Junction 13 of the M5. It offers on-site management, parking and a cafe. With 50 tenants, it accommodates many start-ups as well as established companies such as UK Power Solutions, Green Gourmet, Omega Resource, Biocensus and BPE Solicitors.
Robert Hitchins, based at Boddington in Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It provides the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.
