The ground floor of an historic Bristol city centre building has been transformed thanks to the ambition and vision of businessman Steve Preston.
Steve, founder and managing director of Heat Recruitment, has moved the firm’s 25-strong team into the newly fitted-out ground floor of Royal Talbot House in Victoria Street.
Until around three months ago the 2,000 sq m space had been used as a storage facility by its owners. But Steve, who regularly walked past the building, spotted its potential.
He said: “We had been on the lookout for new offices and were keen to remain in the city centre, not far from our existing base on Victoria Street. I regularly walked past Royal Talbot House and couldn’t believe that such fantastic space was being used for storage. So I put a business card through the door and asked the owner to get in touch.”
The owners immediately agreed to Steve’s idea and provided the space under a unique all-inclusive lease. The pair worked together to come up with a design and layout suitable for Heat Recruitment’s growth plans.
The space has now been transformed into a bright, modern and spacious working environment while making the most of the building’s many period features.
As well as office space, the ground floor also has three board rooms.
Steve launched Heat Recruitment, which specialises in recruitment for the insurance, accountancy, legal and financial services sectors, in 2006. Last year it started Heat Computing, a dedicated IT recruitment division.
The company, which also has an office in London, has plans to expand in Bristol and across the UK in the next few years.
Steve added: “Royal Talbot House is an amazing building in a great location and we are thrilled to have played a role in helping to bring part of it back to life. It’s a great space to work in; and a welcoming environment for our clients and candidates. Most importantly it offers us the flexibility to grow as the company continues to expand.”
Pictured: Steve Preston, centre, with his management team, Chris Birtle, left, and James Ackland, in the new office
