Barclays is to re-locate its two Bristol offices into prestigious new space in the city centre. The office in Bridgewater House, Finzels Reach, will bring together Barclays’ Corporate Banking and Wealth and Investment Management divisions.
Barclays is to lease more than 18,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art space at Bridgewater House which will accommodate 160 private bankers, wealth advisors, relationship managers, customer service and operations employees now based nearby at Queen Square and in North Bristol at Stoke Gifford. 
Barclays will occupy the entire fourth floor of Bridgewater House, which is already home to accountants BDO. The deal is the latest in the Victoria Street area, which is becoming a honeypot for major financial and professional services firms.
A number of law firms, accountants and consultancies have moved into the area over the past few years, either into new buildings such as The Paragon and Bridgewater House, or in refurbished buildings such as Hartwell House on Victoria Street, home to accountants Baker Tilly and Grant Thornton. It also gives a boost to the Finzels Reach development on the site as the former Courage Brewery.
Barclays Corporate head of region Martin French said: “Our move to Bridgewater House will be one of the biggest investments we have made in property in Bristol and the South West over the last few years.
“It will offer an excellent environment for both our clients and our employees in Bristol and the move enables us to bring together our existing banking operations, while re-locating close to the traditional heart of Bristol’s vibrant business and professional community.”
Barclays’ Bristol Wealth and Investment Management director Paul Freeman added: “Bristol is a fantastic place to do business and the decision to invest in these new underpins our belief in the prospects for the local economy and wealth in the region.”
The new office will feature a dedicated customer reception, meeting suite and terrace overlooking the city centre. Staff are expected to move in from this September.
