Creative studio OUTLAW is set to move to Bristol’s Finzels Reach, which is fast making a name for itself as one of the city’s most exciting new quarters.
Having spent their careers in London agencies, the team behind OUTLAW was drawn to Bristol’s thriving creative scene, as well as the appeal of being based in the heart of the city centre within unique, characterful workspace at Finzels Reach.
Founded in the summer of 2018, OUTLAW, which creates disruptive designs for brands, is now looking to grow its new venture by creating 15-20 jobs over the next few years.
Brett Stabler, creative director and co-founder of OUTLAW, said: “People often talk about finding a better work-life balance in Bristol, and that usually means one making way for the other – but not always. What if both could level up? A vibrant, creative space in the heart of an inspirational city with adventure on its doorstep. Win win.”
Finzels Reach has a rich brewing history, having been home to several famous Bristol breweries over the years, most recently Courage brewery, and holds personal significance for one of the OUTLAW team.
Alex Rexworthy, senior designer and co-founder, said: “Both my Dad and Grandad worked in the building when it was the Courage Brewery, spending the best part of four decades there between them. Although I’ll be designing for beer brands rather than brewing the beer myself, it’s amazing to know I’ll be continuing the family tradition under the same roof.”
At Finzels Reach, OUTLAW has taken 2,594 sq ft of space on the second floor of the Fermentation Buildings, representing the first office tenant to be secured at these historic buildings. This comes after BAFTA-award-winning creative media company BDH recently moved into the Malt House and software development specialist Amdaris moved into Studio A at striking new office building Aurora, both within Finzels Reach, paving the way for the creation of a creative and media business hub.
Peter Walford, director at Cubex, the developer behind Finzels Reach, said: “We are thrilled that OUTLAW has chosen to not only set up its fledgling creative studio in Bristol, but has decided that Finzels Reach is the place for them to grow their business. We are currently steaming ahead with works on the historic Fermentation Buildings, and it’s excellent to have the first business signed up four months ahead of completion. There’s already a growing community of businesses at Finzels Reach and we have more exciting announcements to make soon, so watch this space!”
The OUTLAW team, which is currently based at Runway East in Bristol, says it struggled to find somewhere in a central location that felt characterful rather than corporate, but they knew they had found the perfect spot when they came across Finzels Reach.
Tim Dalton, business director and co-founder, said: “Preserving the character and integrity of the original building is hugely important to us. We’ve all enjoyed working on beer brands in our careers, but never imagined we’d one day set up in a historic brewery. Now we’re looking forward to putting our own stamp on the space, creating a studio that inspires our creative team and our clients alike.”
Elissa O’Brien, strategy director and co-founder of OUTLAW, added: “It’s hard to beat Bristol. It’s a hugely creative and cultural city with a strong sense of community – and it’s so much more liveable than London. Walking along the water to work every day is a real pleasure.”
OUTLAW joins other businesses within the wider Finzels Reach area including financial services firm Parmenion, part of Aberdeen Standard Investments, professional recruitment and consulting specialist Experis, law firm Simmons & Simmons and intellectual property specialist Mewburn Ellis LLP, which are all based within Aurora.
Finzels Reach is a growing new quarter of the city where there will be around 2,500 people living and working by the end of this year, on a site that had just a handful of workers when the Courage Brewery closed in the 1990s. With Spicer+Cole’s new café now open, a popular weekly food market, and Left Handed Giant set to open a new brewpub and brewery this summer, alongside a new restaurant by Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Michelin Star restaurant Casamia, the neighbourhood is also tipped to become one of the city’s hottest new destinations this year.
