Business members’ club opens following 18-month renovation

A luxury business members’ club has now opened in Huddersfield.

Empire House is intended to offer an alternative to the serviced office and hot desking models.

For a £150-per-month fee, members will gain access to the newly renovated building – which has been designed as an exclusive, social space, complete with a bar, lounge, break-out orangery space, boardroom and serviced reception.

Members get access to work from the facilities for the day – either away from their home office or their workplace – and use it as a place to entertain their own clients.

Managing director, Amy Byram, said: “Empire House is the first business club in the area. We do have a selection of serviced offices, but not every business has a requirement for a full-time, dedicated office.

“Sometimes, you just want to get away from the home office, or you want to take your clients somewhere that will impress them.

“For CEOs or MDs, it’s about getting away from the workplace, where you can plan without being distracted.

“Our membership is a lower cost option than an office but has the personal touch and high level of service that’s not always experienced in the hot desking space.”

New members can access a complimentary consultation to discuss business objectives, PR strategies and to pinpoint which connections could be valuable to them. Regular networking events will also be organised.

Byram added: “We bought the building in 2019, pre-Covid, so the last 18 plus months have been challenging, but it’s given us the time to get the finer details right.

“I have to give huge credit to our joiner, aptly named David Wood – from SB Homes – who has put up with my never-ending barrage of demanding requests.

“It was important to us to do the 130-year-old building justice, and I hope we’ve complemented its heritage, whilst creating a space that people love to be in.”

Empire House is offering complimentary passes throughout June, before applications officially open on 1 July. Its launch party was due to take place on 1 July, but due to Covid restrictions will now take place on 22 July.