Serviced office group Clarendon has opened its first centre in the West of England, taking over four floors of a Bath city centre office block and transforming it into modern, high-quality workspace.
Clarendon had been seeking a base in Bath for about six years before taking 13,000sq ft in Cambridge House on Henry Street. 
Managing director Julian Cooper said Bath’s lack of office space – along with the fact that many commercial buildings are being converted to residential use – had prevented an early move into the city.
But he said it had been worth the wait as Cambridge House offered scope to develop a ‘boutique-style’ centre that fitted with the needs of Bath’s innovative businesses.
Clarendon called in Bath-based workplace design and build specialist Interaction to complete a £1.2m, 16-week refurbishment project on the offices – which had been unused for several years and were in a bad state of repair.
Interaction used 1,000 linear metres of wallpaper, 1,400 sq metres of carpet and 100km of cabling to transform the space into more than 55 separate offices over the four floors with meeting rooms and innovative ‘phone booth’-style quiet rooms. 
Plans are also in place to open a roof terrace. Office spaces range from one work station to 17.
Centre manager Tom Endacott said the space had been created to make clients and their employees feel like they are entering a five-star hotel, with a professional reception team welcoming clients and guests on their arrival.
“It is the superior and luxurious decor that sets it apart from other working spaces in the vicinity, taking the term pro-working to the next level,” he said.
Clarendon, which was founded in 1998, has 12 centres in London, Bournemouth, Oxford and Abingdon, with sister brand Reflex operating a further 20 in Westminster and Camden.
Julian Cooper added: “Cambridge House is our first serviced office space in the South West and we have designed the space to replicate a luxury hotel, which very much fits in with the Bath vibe. 
“We make sure that all our centres fit in with their location – so the kind of decor that works in London, with exposed brickwork, wouldn’t have suited Bath.
“Cambridge House is perfect for any business looking for professional working space in an accessible location; we have had strong take-up from local businesses, start-ups and remote workers as well as larger firms establishing a footprint in this sought-after area.”
Interaction managing director Dieter Wood: “When we first met Clarendon to discuss their up-and-coming project we were enthused by their aspirations and knew that it could have a significant impact upon the development of businesses in the city. The decision to place these offices in the centre of Bath, reflects the position the South West is in as a thriving hub for businesses.
“The result is a design-focused space that is of an extremely high standard. This is testament to the client who was not prepared to cut corners or compromise on quality. The offices will aid the small businesses who will occupy them and gives them the tools they need to grow and continue to be successful.”
Among the first occupiers is EZ Education, which makes personalised maths lessons for children for tablets, PCs and Macs. It has moved into two offices at Cambridge House from its previous base in the University of Bath-supported SETsquared Innovation Centre. 
Business support manager Rebecca Hill said the firm was immediately drawn to Clarendon’s offering after looking at other serviced offices.
She added: “There were many deciding factors – from the onsite showers, fantastic kitchen facilities, and the provision of a post room, which all contributed to our overall decision. I also have to mention that the attention to detail shown in the décor impressed us – as well as the quirky public spaces, modern meeting rooms, fun telephone booths and there being somewhere safe and secure to leave bikes.
“Our team is of a varying age from early 20s to early 40s, so it was important for us to find a new office that was not only in a prime location but was also vibrant and would make our staff really enjoy working in their surroundings. There is no doubt that Cambridge House ticks all the boxes for us.”
Clarendon Business Centres offer instant availability and are fully furnished and cabled. Clarendon’s flexible approach means that clients only pay for space they use and t only commit for the length of term they require.
