NEW TECH HUB IN CROYDON
TMRW, a brand new technology hub providing flexible and affordable office space and support to tech-savvy entrepreneurs and small businesses, has opened its doors in Croydon.
The state-of-the-art working space was supported by £2m worth of investment, including a contribution from the Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund for the fit out and a rent and rate free period from Croydon council.
“It promises to be attractive to the capital’s most progressive technology businesses which are looking to scale up and grow fast in the emerging tech-capital of London” said a Croydon spokesman.
“With 21,000 sq ft of offices and state-of-the-art facilities, TMRW offers 320 desk spaces, a range of meeting and board rooms, and a 200-capacity technology-enabled events space. Alongside these facilities are a host of in-house business support services. “These include web development, hosting and cloud services, public relations advice, recruitment, online customer acquisition, legal services, and accounting.
“The newly opened scheme, in Davis House on the High Street, was first proposed by the council a year ago. “It provides anyone who is looking for a place to develop and grow businesses related to technology or the arts with a sleek new working environment at the heart of Croydon.
“Users of TMRW’s facilities can also access unique business classes, organised meet-ups between people with complementary ideas, and a variety of activities that will help them network with the wider business community.”
Croydon’s cabinet member for economy and jobs Cllr Mark Watson said: “This is a fantastic project that‘s gone from an idea to inception in under a year and is already helping build a community of entrepreneurs, thinkers, risk-takers, musicians, artists, investors, and businesses.
“As a council it’s one of our priorities to bring business and employment opportunities into the town.
“TMRW are just the latest example of how we’re successfully doing this in Croydon – meaning we expect to see some £7billion invested here over the next few years. “Right now we can see new offices and homes springing up in every direction, and the borough’s future is, without a shadow of a doubt, a bright one.”
TMRW’s chairman Francois Mazoudier said: “London has become Europe’s epicentre for fast growth tech businesses – an amazing achievement. “The downside of this boom has been the flash-rise of rent prices, with many great start-ups being priced out of central London, in particular the East End.
“With TMRW, with our network of tech entrepreneurs, investors, industry partners and a vibrant local social scene, we’re establishing one of the UK’s best alternative clusters for tech entrepreneurs and start-ups.”
The building also provides space for emerging and established south London artists to display their work, and a café has been set up that focuses on the use of locally-sourced, in-season, freshly made food. (Source: Croydon council press release)
CROYDON TO LEASE HQ SPACE TO ARCADIS
Croydon council are to lease out office space in their Bernard Weatherill House headquarters – a deal they say is set to save up to £7.5m over the next 10 years.
Leading design and consultancy firm Arcadis will rent the top two floors of the council’s home, bringing 250 staff to the borough. The Arcadis Croydon office is due to be open and fully operational this summer.
The global firm says its decision to expand into the borough will help “strengthen its position in London and the south-east”. It cites Croydon as being the preferred centre for growth, one of the biggest commercial development hubs in the country, and a regeneration opportunity area; with a £5.21bn regeneration programme well under way.
Croydon council leader Cllr Tony Newman said: “This is great news for Croydon and for our residents.
“We’ve always said that we’re absolutely committed to delivering value for money to local taxpayers and this is a great example of our promise to make sure we’re making the most of our assets, and getting the best deals for local people.
“It’s also fantastic news that yet another company of global stature wants to relocate to Croydon, further strengthening our position as London’s growth borough, and the place to do business.”
UK chief executive officer of Arcadis Alan Brookes said: “Having initially taken office space in King’s Cross in 2006, we’ve experienced, first-hand, the community and business benefits of being situated at the heart of an urban regeneration area.
“As well as being located close to a number of excellent transport links allowing quick and convenient access to central London and across the south-east, this new space provides us with the opportunity to bring 2,000 talented people together across two key London locations to truly realise the benefits of collaboration for our clients.
“We’re excited about the pending move and being a part of Croydon’s continued success.” (Source: Croydon council press release)