One of the things clients love about Bristol agency SBW Advertising is its commitment to going the extra mile for Bristol City College, North Bristol NHS Trust, Thermae Bath Spa and all its other private and public sector clients.

By the time the agency celebrated its tenth birthday in 2014 it became clear they needed to go that extra mile (or 40) quite literally. Finding themselves increasingly involved with exciting projects generated in Cardiff - colleges recreating themselves for the 21st century, exciting Welsh government strategy launches like Education Begins At Home and the loving restoration of Cardiff’s beautiful Victorian arcades - it became obvious they needed a base in Wales to take care of their new clients properly. And to grow.

With a reputation built on inspired creativity and a ‘big picture’ approach, SBW wasn’t going to fit comfortably into standardised, anonymous office space. As Client Services Director Leticia Korin-Moore says emphatically 

‘we wanted somewhere with character; so much office space feels transitional…’

An agent was briefed and the search began. The SBW team looked at space from the Bay to the Bridge and back again. They were after somewhere that stood out, and space run by people whose approach was as ‘can do’ as their own.

They found both in Cathedral Road, a fabulously central location just round the corner from Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium, easily accessible from the M4 and the First Great Western line from Paddington via Bristol. The city’s lively Pontcanna district with its cafes and bars is on the doorstep.

Cathedral Road has all the character Leticia had been looking for. During the 1870s the 3rd Marquis of Bute employed William Burges - the architect he had worked with on Cardiff Castle and the fairytale Castell Coch - to help develop his riverside land into an elegant road full of grand houses built to high standards. The investment paid off, and the road is as impressive today as it was at the end of the 19th century.

But while the building ticked all the right boxes for SBW in the end it was Office Space in Town’s Cathedral Road manager, Tracy, who was the deciding factor.

‘Oh yes, Tracy was key to our decision to move in,’ laughs Leticia. ‘She simply always says ‘yes’!’

No-one disputed that Cathedral Road’s grandeur had faded slightly, and needed updating 

‘…but we were free to brand our own space, change the furnishings, express preferences about the carpets…’

 SBW appreciated being listened to and seeing their suggestions swiftly carried out. And when internet teething problems threatened to make life difficult Tracy and the team were immediately responsive. 

‘We simply always know she’s on side,’

SBW are now thoroughly at home in South Wales. Across the road there are more Office Space in Town buildings at Temple Court and regular barbecues and social gatherings offer plenty of networking opportunities.

‘We love the central location, the flexibility and Tracy’s positivity! This move has been crucial to our development as a business and having room to grow in Cathedral Road means we can put down proper roots in Wales. ’

There might be 40 miles between SBW in Bristol and Cardiff but in terms of attitude and spirit, there’s really no distance at all.

Case Study - Bristol agency SBW Advertising

Bristol and Wales just moved a little closer

How Herts-based Nockolds found its second home in the city

Serendipity is defined as ‘the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way’ – and serendipity played a key role in Nockolds Solicitors recent expansion.

Nockolds is a well-respected, successful firm of solicitors based in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, with a pedigree dating back over 180 years. They now employ 110 people and have 10 partners.

In 2013 the directors began to look around for a small London-based firm to acquire, both to more effectively take care of clients who spend their working day in the city and to take advantage of wider business opportunities. They identified two or three potentially compatible businesses but nothing was working out. Then one of the companies they had been in conversation with let slip that their premises were actually serviced office space. The Nockolds team was intrigued…

Director James Brunton began to investigate, checking out several different spaces all two or three minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street Station and the fast train back to Bishop’s Stortford. Some were over the top marble and steel giants that gave the instant impression all the clients’ money had gone on the décor. Others were underwhelming. One stood out. On the way back to the station deep in thought after a flurry of guided tours, James heard his name called. The representative who had briefly showed him 43 New Broad Street earlier happened to be stepping into the street. An event was taking place on the roof terrace. Would James like to take another look?

From the roof, looking out over the London skyline, the decision was made.

‘New Broad Street felt the perfect new home for us,’

 said James, who has been with Nockolds for fourteen years and now divides his week between London and Bishop’s Stortford. 

‘It’s well-presented and very well-managed – the team all know exactly what’s going on and are extremely helpful. And the facilities – like the kitchens on each floor - are great. The conference floor is excellent, with cleverly designed space that adapts easily to everything from small client meetings to the drinks reception for 90 we threw a little while back.’

The space is flexible, smart and professional, and clients instantly feel at home. The décor and signage are subtle. 

‘Some clients do assume the whole building is ours…’

‘Yes indeed. We have acquired a large London-based financial institution as a new client, and we’re now working on a major project together which has taken us in an exciting new direction we couldn’t have imagined before setting up in New Broad Street.

Plus in 2014 we welcomed two new partners – fantastic people with great CVs who weren’t on our radar, but crossed paths with us since our presence in London.’

Nockolds began with four desks, expanding to twelve within six months. 

‘We needed the extra space to handle the extra business that was coming in…’

So does James have any advice for businesses based out of town who are weighing up the benefits of opening their doors in London?

‘I’d recommend taking well-managed serviced offices. Office Space In Town look after us so well. Do it for the ease – you simply sign and you can move in practically next day – plus the fantastic flexibility. For a professional image in the city, you can’t beat it.’

Case Study - Herts-based Nockolds Solicitors

Rooms To Grow

How Pitch Perfect found an office space perfectly in tune with their strategy.

You’re about to step out and give a career-defining presentation.

All the people you’ve ever wanted to impress are in the audience.

You’ve slaved over this, given it your all. You know what needs saying; you’ve honed how to say it. You’ve neglected your family, left friends’ birthday parties early, missed all the telly everyone’s talking about. You’ve thought about what to say and how to say it in taxis, on planes, in the gym, out running...

Now the moment has finally arrived. And where are you? You’re in the bathroom, a very pale shade of green, wondering how you got here and who on earth you think you’re kidding.

, have seen this scenario more times than they’ve had cappuccinos.

‘So often, clients think they have to be a certain way in business,’ says Deon. ‘They don’t know who they actually are themselves.’

Having thoroughly explored his own identity as everything from geography teacher to lifeguard, running shoe salesperson to City executive, Deon met Emma while studying acting. The light bulb moment happened when they realized the self-knowledge and consequent self-reliance required to be a credible actor can be applied to all roles in life.

‘It’s not about acting per se,’ says Deon, with all the infectious enthusiasm of someone who has found their true vocation, ‘it’s about knowing where you are in your own story. When you understand yourself, you can choose which of your emotions or states of mind to bring to bear on a situation. You engage your own personal values and your business self becomes authentic.’

While there are serious and transformative consequences for Pitch Perfect clients, Deon and Emma’s approach is playful. This is reflected in their Waterloo office space with its Alice in Wonderland theme, perfectly in tune with Pitch Perfect’s strategy of examining what is authentic and what is deception.

‘We love it here. Office Space in Town are fabulous, their staff embody that combination of fun and professionalism that sits so well with our culture. We get on, like and respect each other, share values.’

Life isn’t always pitch perfect, though, as Deon and Emma know very well. But – as they help their clients to understand - it’s how you react and what values you draw on that matters.

‘We’ve come through tough times. We took on more staff, and it didn’t work out.’

It is important to Deon and his commitment to authenticity that past difficulties are spoken about. So he goes on to explain that something similar happened seven or eight years previously, when Pitch Perfect worked out of serviced office space in Wandsworth. On that occasion the owners responded by escorting the team from the premises.

Office Space in Town couldn’t have responded more differently.

‘They went on a mission to find us the right space,’

‘and found us a smaller, temporary office at St Paul’s which was just right.’

Pitch Perfect is now back in Waterloo on the third floor with their eyes on one of those fifth floor balconied spaces…

‘Office Space in Town operate like a great group of people who happen to run a business,’ says Deon, ‘and that attitude comes from the top down. They know who they are and it shows.’

 Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?

 That depends a good dealon where you want to get to.

As the world of business reiterates over and over, any fool can be successful. But being happily successful? That would seem to involve the bravery and strength to bring your authentic self to the party too. And gather round you those who do the same.

Case Study - Pitch Perfect

Office space in tune with your strategy

How Pulsant uncovered the benefits of playfulness in the heart of London’s business district

When Stephen Spittal and his team from Pulsant's London contingent moved into their New Broad Street offices near Liverpool Street station he was quite happy to describe their aesthetic requirements as ‘vanilla’.

Yes, they needed somewhere in Zone 1 at the heart of London’s business district so they could look after clients in the immediate vicinity.

Yes, they wanted to be able to welcome these clients to their offices proudly rather than apologetically, which had been the case with the previous office space down the road.

And yes, they expected facilities to be state of the art to complement their positioning at the heart of business technology, helping clients manage and store crucial data efficiently and safely.

And that’s about it. So long as the décor was neutral and well maintained, the Pulsant team would be happy.

But when clients and vendors arrive for meetings it's not the location that they comment on first (though the offices are superbly placed for all central London transport.)

Nor is it the elegant Portland stone building or the impressive and well-designed mezzanine space into which they are welcomed.

Nor is it the fantastic facilities which the office manager and team maintain superbly, solving any problems swiftly with a ‘can-do’ attitude.

No. It’s the super-sized iconic Monopoly pieces that catch their eye. The enormous dog token. The property cards forming part of the wall décor. The gigantic bowler hat (this is the City, after all).

Because behind every 'vanilla' executive is a human being with a distant but powerful connection to their childhood selves. And contemporary research has uncovered the benefits of playfulness:

“People who exhibit high levels of playfulness—those who are predisposed to being spontaneous, outgoing, creative, fun-loving, and lighthearted—appear to be better at coping with stress, more likely to report leading active lifestyles, and more likely to succeed academically.”

The Boston Globe_, What playfulness can do for you,_ July 20, 2014

Stephen calls the office design ‘quirky’, and he and his team evidently delight in their well-planned, contemporary space and the impact it has on visitors. But the trend towards playful working environments isn’t simply about brightening the business day – though that’s a pretty good reason in itself. Playfulness in the workplace is now seen to have a real impact on the bottom line.

On 4 February 2014 New Chapter Recruitment posted this to their website:

“33 percent of FMCG/Consumer businesses in the UK have developed trendy office environments in order to attract and retain the best talent, and a high percentage (88 percent) say that they’re proud to work in this type of environment as we discovered in our latest research ‘Playful office environments – fad or future?

…This finding is in sharp contrast to the levels of satisfaction experienced amongst people who work in a more formal environment.”

And an organisation with a reputation as a great place to work is naturally attractive to the finest talent who bring in the most business.

Office Space in Town's trademark is its stylish, high-quality, well-planned working spaces with strikingly playful twists.

“We like that it feels informal here, but if you ever need something the team can’t do enough to help and will always find a way to get something done,’ says Stephen.

‘We keep strange working hours at times, people are here early and late…’ he pauses ‘…but it’s made easy as this is simply a nice environment to be in.”

Case Study - Pulsant

Trendy office environments attract the best team players

How market leading tech infrastructure, scalability and sleek high spec design makes Office Space in Town (OSiT)’s Monument office the perfect space for Equitile

As a founder, Director and the COO of rapidly growing asset management company 

, Nigel Hellewell, was looking for a professional working environment that would support the company immediately and in its growth. Below, he outlines why Office Space in Town was, and still is, the ideal fit for his business needs.

When we were sourcing office space for Equitile nearly three years ago, we had three clear requirements: a professional working environment; modern technical infrastructure and scalability for the future. OSiT’s serviced office at Monument has been able to provide all of these things and more.

The office’s high-design facilities and creative themes offered a professional and flexible work place that accommodated our day-to-day working needs, but also somewhere that we could host clients with pride. Monument’s design theme, luxury yachting, has proven to be an inspiring working environment and a real talking point when clients visit.

Robust and private technical infrastructure was a vital factor when selecting our office accommodation. Given the highly confidential nature of our work, we needed a space with an efficient, reliable and, above all, secure network, that offered consistent private Wi-Fi access throughout the building. OSiT provides us with a simple, seamless and secure tech infrastructure, freeing us up to focus on the true nature of our business: asset management.

We have been at OSiT Monument for over two-and-a-half years, and throughout that time we have experienced considerable growth and are looking to expand our office footprint – the OSiT structure allows us to achieve this without the frictional costs and hassle you would normally associate with office moves.

Following the launch of OSiT’s latest development at 

 we are pleased to say that we will be moving there when it opens in June. These newly serviced offices provide us with the flexibility we require following our company growth and offers additional opportunities to suit differing clients’ needs.

We know that as long as we stay with the OSiT brand, the quality of accommodation and service we get will be of the highest possible standard.

Case Study - Equitile Investments

An office fit for the future

How cheerful design, attentive staff and professional features made Office Space in Town’s (OSiT’s) newest centre the ideal home for The Happiness Index.

For a company that champions happiness, it was central to the business needs of The Happiness Index that their working environment should mirror their core beliefs as a business. Co-Founder and Head of Humans at the bespoke HR software company, Chris Hyland, explains why our newest offices, OSiT Blackfriars @ 22 Tudor Street, was the perfect host for their happiness…

‘Bring your best self to work’ has always been a core requirement of 

, and it is vital that our working environment reflects this.

When we were sourcing office space earlier this year, we knew we wanted something unique and bespoke. We certainly didn’t want the fish-tank feel of a co-working space. We needed an environment that would appeal to our clients, facilitate our productivity and most importantly make our team excited to come to work.

Office Space in Town exceeded our expectations. In the past, we have searched for a space to which we could add our own personal touch. This time it was different. The design theme of happiness, combined with the state-of-the-art features offered at 

 centre meant we already had everything we were looking for in one, functional space.

The cost-per-head model operated by global co-working brands isn’t compatible with the flexible working that we offer our staff at The Happiness Index. Currently, we have 12 office-based staff and another 10 members of staff who work across the globe. OSiT were able to offer us a space that was flexible enough to accommodate this. As we continue to grow, we expect to double in size over the next 18 months, we feel assured that OSiT will continue to be able to meet our space requirements.

The design theme of ‘happiness’ is unique and imaginative, modern yet refined – making the offices suitable for both established and high-growth companies. The impressive space makes us proud to invite clients to meetings at our offices. My favourite meeting room is Safari, the Giraffe Executive Suite, where the creatures poking their head through the walls provides an ice-breaking talking point. The hidden Games room provides the perfect space in which to entertain clients and staff.

Above all, the OSiT staff are brilliant. The care and attention to detail makes us feel valued and supported, which for us, confirms that OSiT’s business strategy and culture mirrors our own. OSiT is a company that truly believes a happy workforce is a productive one.

We couldn’t have asked for a better home for our happiness, and we look forward to what our future brings.

Case Studies

Bristol and Wales just moved a little closer

Rooms To Grow

Office space in tune with your strategy

Trendy office environments attract the best team players

An office fit for the future

A habitat for happiness: OSiT Blackfriars

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Case Studies

Bristol and Wales just moved a little closer

Rooms To Grow

Office space in tune with your strategy

Trendy office environments attract the best team players

An office fit for the future

A habitat for happiness: OSiT Blackfriars

Serviced offices, meeting spaces, virtual office services, and event venues available to hire.On the hunt for any of the above?Get in touch for further details or to book a viewing.

Send us a message...

Call us

Email

Head Office

Serviced offices, meeting spaces, virtual office services, and event venues available to hire.
On the hunt for any of the above?
Get in touch for further details or to book a viewing.