A leading Staffordshire accountancy practice has moved home for the first time in almost 140 years.
Geens Chartered Accountants says the relocation is essential for staff and clients and allows room for further growth.
The firm has transformed Graphic House, in Stoke-on-Trent, undertaking a comprehensive internal refit.
Total investment, including buying the former print works, comes in at more than £600,000.
The new offices, off City Road, Fenton, are only around a mile away from the old premises in Liverpool Road, Stoke, but the facilities offer a major step forward, says Geens.
Director Karen Staley said: “This is a major investment in our future. It’s bittersweet, as our former base was built for Geens by our founder Frederick Geen and opened in 1884, but the current management team knew it was time to change, primarily for the wellbeing of our staff.
“We’ve gutted Graphic House and rebuilt it into a modern office space. Our team now works together across two spacious offices and there’s excellent facilities, such as a kitchen, with sitting area, a shower room, and a welcoming, purpose-built reception areas.
“Following lockdowns, everyone wanted to come back to the offices and work together. The new offices offer an excellent work environment and there’s space to grow.”
Graphic House has around 4,000 square feet of space over two floors. It can be seen from City Road and is close to Fenton Manor Leisure Centre, with Stoke Station in easy walking distance.
Geens was founded by Frederick Geen, an Alderman and Mayor of the former borough of Stoke from 1887 to 1889 and Mayor of the County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent in 1913.
He instigated the building of the King’s Hall and Stoke Town Hall and there are similarities in the design of these buildings and the Liverpool Road office.
