East Midlands-based EMBS is the latest high profile business to take a new furnished office at Friar Gate Studios, the flagship building of the Connect Derby managed workspace scheme.

Since it was founded in 2003, EMBS has redefined the recruitment services market by providing its clients with competitive advantage via a range of traditional and digital talent attraction services.

The company has clients throughout the UK and has successfully placed thousands of candidates with hundreds of employers. Its team of talent partners work in the technology, property, engineering and manufacturing sectors and other specialised markets.

The changing recruitment market brought about as a result of the pandemic presented directors Simon Bucknell and Ian Stevens with the opportunity to rethink their strategy for the business. Working in collaboration with their team, they took the decision to adopt a hybrid working practice and move back into the city centre. 

EMBS have taken one of nine newly refurbished, fully furnished offices at Friar Gate Studios on Ford Street, which have reached 89% occupancy just months after they were launched.

The fully furnished office accommodation is available for up to six months. At the end of the initial tenancy, EMBS will be able to take a permanent office at any of Connect Derby’s workspaces across the city.

The furnished offices provide flexibility for established businesses looking to return to office premises after working from home during the pandemic - or new start-ups looking for a short-term home for their business without the additional costs of furnishing it themselves.

The offices, which range from 282 sq. ft to 442 sq. ft, are equipped with desks, chairs, and storage units, phone lines, high-speed broadband, and sundry items, including tea and coffee making facilities. Some also have a breakfast bar, sofa, tub chairs, coffee table and plants. 

Businesses taking furnished offices at Friar Gate Studios can also take advantage of other facilities, including an on-site café, Covid secure meeting rooms and business support.

There are now plans to introduce fully furnished offices at other Connect Derby buildings, starting with Sadler Bridge Studios on Bold Lane, which is set to be up-and-running at the beginning of October. 

Commenting the move to Friar Gate Studios, Simon Bucknell, director of EMBS, said:

While working from home has its merits, our staff still want to work together in the office for learning and development and to collaborate with their colleagues. Friar Gate Studios offers us the perfect opportunity to have a flexible office hub and we absolutely love it. 

We do a lot of work in the property sector and wanted to be close to where regeneration is currently taking place in Derby. We viewed a lot of office space in the city centre, including all the Connect Derby buildings, which offered lots of choice. We were torn between Friar Gate and Sadler Bridge Studios, but Friar Gate Studios won thanks to the great flow of the building, parking facilities and the great vibe in the café. 

We particularly like the flexible lease arrangements and the fact we can scale-up across the Connect Derby buildings in the future.

The level of service we have received from Sonia and the Connect Derby team has been second to none. We went from initial enquiry to moving in within six weeks. We are currently looking to hire new staff in readiness for a strong 2022.

 

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, added:

I’d like to welcome Simon, Ian and their team to the Connect Derby family. Our fully-furnished offices are the perfect solution for businesses like EMBS, who are reviewing their property strategies and want a high quality base for their business while they are deciding how much office space they are going to need going forward. 

Friar Gate Studios is one of seven buildings within the diverse Connect Derby portfolio alongside Sadler Bridge Studios, Riverside Chambers, Marble Hall, Kings Chambers, Shot Tower and the iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park.

The Studios comprise 41 offices ranging from 275 ft2 to 1190 ft2, meeting and seminar rooms and the popular Bean Caffé.

The scheme provides micro businesses, entrepreneurs and SMEs with the high specification working environment, IT infrastructure and business support they need to grow. Tenants enjoy superfast broadband, meeting rooms equipped with AV equipment, and 24/7 access.

For further information, contact Sonia Kang on 01332 742500 or email lettings@connectderby.co.uk