Gardner reveals serviced office plan

ENTREPRENEUR Mike Gardner is planning to open a second serviced office location in Warrington.

Mr Gardner, who owns office fit-out and design company Claremont Group Interiors, launched the original Breeze serviced office concept within Claremont’s Warrington base several years ago, and it has been a successful diversification.

Mr Gardner told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We’ll aim to open Breeze 2 by the end of next year. It’ll be in Birchwood, which as a location works well. It’ll be around 10,000 ft.”

He said the Breeze, and his other strategic investments, London-based office furniture manufacturer Logic Office Group and guest internet specialist Airangel, were all complementary to the core Claremont business.

“Having these various businesses means thay can all support and feed each other,” he added.

In what is a tough market place Claremont is faring well, he said, although prices are under pressure.

“It’s difficult to call the market in the next year, there is a lot of uncertainty around, but our order book is healthy at £16m – which is really good.”

He said Claremont’s profits in the year to March 31 had been flat at £400,000 despite an increase in turnover from £25.4m to £27.5m.

“There are fewer big projects around so we have to cast our net further afield – we’ve won work in Newcastle and Cheltenham for example. The market place is generally more competitive and margins are tighter than before.” 

Mr Gardner said staff had agreed to a 5% pay cut and directors a 10% reduction last year to help the business remain in profit.

“We are a team, and everyone has responded to the challenges really well, winning more business and working harder.”