Specialist Chartered Accountants based in East Anglia

Lovewell Blake Chartered Accountants

Media Centre

Completing historic move to Bankside 300

16 November 2011

 

The Lovewell Blake move to prestigious new premises on Broadland Business Park, Norwich, marks a significant milestone in the 153-year history of the firm.

The move to Bankside 300 also brings together the 135 Norwich-based staff of Lovewell Blake and Banham Graham following the official merger of the two firms last month. 

For the past 23 years Lovewell Blake has had offices in Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, where it moved following a merger with E J Riches & Son.  The firm, reputed to be the oldest accountancy firm retaining its original name, was founded in Great Yarmouth and opened its first office in Norwich in 1925. 

For Banham Graham the move from its Thorpe Road offices comes 25 years after the firm was formed by two accountants, one of whom, James Banham began his career with Lovewell Blake.

Lovewell Blake is leasing 20,000 sq ft on the ground and first floors of Bankside 300, overlooking the lake and set in one of the most scenic parts of the fast growing business park.  The floor area in the ‘L’ shape building represents a 20 per cent increase on the previous office space.

“Bankside 300 opens up an exciting new era for Lovewell Blake,” said managing partner Douglas Young.  “The increased floor area provides a more comfortable and efficient working environment, as well as allowing us the opportunity for future growth.

“We have enlarged dedicated areas for the specialist teams that are so important to our success, more conference and meeting rooms, more staff and training facilities — and for the first time a board room.    Financial planning will gain too, being on the same floor as our other activities.

“Our prime position close to the southern bypass with parking outside the front door represents a massive benefit to clients and suppliers visiting the premises, as well as our own staff.  Clients will no longer need to time their visits to avoid rush hour traffic.  There’s also a bus stop within 100 yards of the premises.”

Mr Young also pointed to the ‘green’ benefits of the new development, particularly the zonal lighting with sensor controls that switch off automatically when an area is vacated or when there is adequate natural daylight.

Mr Young said that in planning and fitting out the new premises they had provided opportunities and encouragement to their own clients.  “I’m pleased that we have been able to use many of our clients and so help the local economy,” he added. 

“The project management team led by our partner Neil Orford has done exceptionally well to get the new premises ready in under three months and so enable us to make an historic move for our firm right on schedule.  We look forward to welcoming our clients.”