While many firms have retained the work-from-home culture they adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, there are others finding that a good office space is proving crucial to their success.
FigFlex’s office space in the centre of Gloucester, overlooking the docks, has become a catalyst for not just the development of its tenants, but the ongoing renaissance of the city as a place for business.
SoGlos spoke to some of the companies that have chosen to make the former Bank of England building their home, finding an eclectic mix of businesses all thriving in the heart of the city.
Steve Waters is a director of civil and structural consulting engineers QuadConsult Ltd, that works as design consultants in the construction industry on projects as diverse as major housing developments and care villages to wind farms to commercial and retail developments.
Waters said: ‘We were keen to open a new office within the Gloucestershire region. A serviced office was perfect as it gives us the opportunity to reduce capital costs and grow organically.
‘The location of FigFlex at Southgate House was just what we were looking for, the rates were favourable.
'The benefit of being in amongst other business is apparent and may assist in business development, and having people around provides our staff with the benefits of being in a more vibrant office.’
Andy Moore is head of operations midlands for Emerging Futures, a community interest company providing specialist supported housing for people with drug and alcohol issues.
Moore said: ‘We have been here for four years now. Crucial to our business is being able to have seven-day access to office space both during and outside of normal office hours. FigFlex gives us this.
'The services we receive are excellent, the location is ideal and we regularly make use of the training room and meeting rooms.
'As a national company, Gloucester is fairly central to all of our areas of operation, with great transport links - and our central operations team often use the meeting rooms.
‘If FigFlex offices were available in our other areas of operation they would be our first choice for office space. The support team, led by Mandy Sibley, is excellent and nothing is too much trouble.’
Jamie Gisby, of Jamie Gisby Health Care, experts in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, said: ‘I needed to move my practice from a long-term premises which was sold off to a developer. I’ve been at FigFlex a year and a half.
'It gives me a secure base to work from, the benefits of having my own office space, flexibility of licence lengths and is an ideal location for my clients. I like the managed facilities and reception area which works well for how I work.’
Emma Ellis, operations manager at financial services firm Air Group, said: ‘We have been at FigFlex for five years now. It offers great office space for our growing business and allows flexibility for us to hire meeting rooms or spaces when necessary, without us needing to lease on a permanent basis.
‘The offices are bright and airy and the shared facilities are inviting, allowing opportunities for networking. Able to help with event planning and arranging catering for any of our own hosted events.’
Luke Doyle, the founder of Bravura Digital Marketing, added: ‘I joined the FigFlex offices after attending a free trial day. Soon after, I earned clients in the co-working space, which have gone on to become very successful relationships with fantastic results.
‘Working alongside other entrepreneurs with a fantastic view
of the Gloucester Docks makes FigFlex an ideal place for Bravura Digital
Marketing.’
