Waste management and recycling specialists AC Environmental Consulting Ltd has transformed a former social services building into its new headquarters – and a base for a handful of other businesses.
The company bought Environment House, in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent earlier this year from Stoke-on-Trent City Council with the intention of renovating it into a hub for other local firms.
Now, following a £50,000 investment, the building is home to six offices, a communal meeting room and 15 parking spaces – as well as a 1,000 square foot studio which is being offered for community use.
Dave Alcock, director of AC Environmental, said: “Before we moved in, the building had been empty for around five or six years.
“We bought the building in January and had to give it a full refurbishment before we moved in in the spring.
“We have more space now which has enabled us to take on additional staff and we plan to expand even more over the next year. There are seven of us now.”
Dave added: "Environment House is a large building, we knew we wouldn’t need all of the space, so it was always our intention to offer rooms to other small or start-up businesses.
“We have been really lucky with the businesses we have managed to attract so far.
“We still have a couple of serviced offices for rent, which we let on a month-by-month basis, and our studio – which we are marketing as Studio Bucknall – is available most days for community groups such as dance classes and Slimming World.”
At the moment Environment House is home to a number of small businesses including an events management company and a mortgage specialist.
Carolyn Jordan, founder of wellness specialist YouPhoria, is among the tenants.
She said: "I was based at home before and I was unsure whether or not I wanted an office, but when I saw the room I decided to take a leap of faith.
“Now I have a decent sized space where I am able to bring people, it’s quiet and it has the bonus of plenty of parking. I can use the studio upstairs for my classes.”
Carolyn added: "AC Environmental have been really supportive and accommodating.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Councillor Heather Blurton, who represents the Eaton Park ward, is pleased that the building has been brought back into use.
She said: "From a council perspective, we don’t like to see empty buildings lying around so it’s great to see that this investment has transformed the building and has brought businesses and the community together.
"From a personal perspective, my nan used to work in this building so it was really interesting for me to go back and see what it looks like. It’s totally different now and is a good job well done."
