Thames Tap publisher UK Property Forums is one of the first businesses to take newly available space next to The Lexicon in Bracknell.
The former council office building, Easthampstead House, is being used as ‘meanwhile’ space for small firms and start-ups, creating a business community in the heart of the town.
Renamed Easthampstead Works, it offers flexible office, studio and event space and an artisan coffee bar and is a few yards from Fenwick, the anchor store of The Lexicon.
The firm bringing new life to the vacant building is Projekt which has created shared and reworked space in London including at Docklands and Soho. Projekt worked with the regeneration team at the council to create Easthampstead Works so it could offer affordable options for smaller organisations.
Project manager for Projekt, Joe Coville, said: “Having repurposed the iconic Bracknell Forest Council building in the centre of Bracknell, Easthampstead Works is open now and is set to become a bustling artistic and entrepreneurial meanwhile site.
“We’re engaging with existing and new Bracknell entrepreneurs and creative businesses and we’re going to bring new enterprises to the area. Everyone will benefit and together we’ll create a real buzz and nurture some great new business.”
Easthampstead Works has a number of communal areas on its four floors and wi-fi is provided. The council had initially intended to demolish the building but the use by Projekt allows the authority to consider long term options for redevelopment.
Matthew Battle, managing director of UK Property Forums, said: “We are really excited to have taken space at Easthampstead Works.
“For once a Thames Valley local authority, Bracknell Forest Council, has taken the initiative and created community space which is centrally located in the town centre and also good value.
“We can grow and connect with other start-ups and community-based companies. It would be great if more property-related businesses were located in the space as the scope for synergies is high.”
Contact joe@thisisprojekt.com and 07711 259 657.
* Images: Top and below: Joe Coville (left) and Matthew Battle. Bottom: Easthampstead House from The Lexicon.
© Thames Valley Property No 168 (tvproperty.co.uk).
