A £7 million creative and digital business campus will be officially opened by Bristol Mayor, George Ferguson, today, Wednesday 8th May.
Temple Studios, next to Temple Meads railway station, has been redeveloped by London-based property company TCN UK. Following the successful redevelopment in 2010 of Bristol and Exeter House next door, TCN UK have spent the past 18 months turning Temple Studios into a quirky and creative office environment aimed at creative and digital businesses.
Richard Pearce, managing director for TCN UK, says: “Back in 2008 we analysed the markets and realised Bristol has an innovative and creative demographic similar to Amsterdam, Utrecht and parts of London. Since then, we have invested around £7 million redeveloping firstly Bristol and Exeter House and now Temple Studios, and we already have 32 businesses installed there.
“Temple Studios targets creative and digital companies, offering a unique office environment with a raw, industrial design and desirable extras, such as a large breakout area for like-minded businesses to connect and interact.”
The entrance to the studios on the ground floor sets the scene for the whole building, with the reception housed in a shipping container. Throughout the building are exposed surfaces, stripped floors and walls, retro toilets and quirky signage. ‘The Space’ is a large breakout area for companies and individuals to meet and collaborate, share a coffee and even a game of table tennis.
Plans for the final phase of the site include a new £13 million office development know as One Bristol, targeted at the TMT sector along with a 120 bed hotel and ancillary retail.
Richard Pearce says “One Bristol is designed for the media and digital generation with an industrial feel, exposed services, high ceilings and great natural light. Quoting rents will be 20% below the more traditional competition and occupiers have flexibility on fit out options starting from shell and core.”
Bristol Mayor, George Ferguson, says: “In the last few years, Bristol has seen rapid growth in the areas of creative and digital business and can now consider itself as a leader in the UK’s creative economy. TCN UK were quick to recognise this and their development right in the heart of Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone fits perfectly with the kind of businesses we’re trying to attract there. We are delighted they have chosen to invest here. They’ve created a very desirable and different workspace and already attracted a whole host of dynamic organisations in there.
“There’s a real buzz and energy here now, which is only going to serve to attract even more businesses. Bristol already has the most successful economy of any city outside of London and the success of the Enterprise Zone is key to the ongoing prosperity of the whole of the city and region.”
The development has also been endorsed by the Government’s Local Growth Minister, Mark Prisk, who said: “Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone is already attracting new and exciting businesses and I’m confident that this new £7 million hub will bring even more innovative business and talented staff into the area. Enterprise Zones are the engine rooms of local growth and it’s very encouraging to see how Bristol Temple Quarter has embraced and cultivated the area’s artistic heritage, driving wider growth in the area and helping to ensure the UK remains a world leader in creative and digital industries.”
Businesses that have moved into Temple Studios include Saint Nicks (advertising agency), Hype & Slippers (design agency), dBS Music School (part of the City of Bristol College), and Atomic Smash (digital agency).
