Tees Business Tees Business Issue 15 | Page 65

Serving the Teesside Business Community | 65 Historic hall is the future for business With its lavishly restored interior, immaculate grounds and popular restaurant, Acklam Hall is one of the genuine jewels in Middlesbrough’s crown. A nd the town’s only Grade I-listed building, on Hall Drive, is increasingly becoming the place to be for Teesside’s business community since its multi-million pound renovation in 2016. As well as providing a delight for diners, the 17th Century hall doubles up as both a luxurious office base for Teesside firms and opulent function facility, as companies book up to treat their staff and customers to events with a wow factor. Acklam Hall has 17 serviced offices which have been constantly occupied since their opening by businesses such as Carliv Accountancy and Raymond James. The beautiful and tasteful Drawing Room holds up to 140 and regularly hosts successful networking and business events, with the hall seen as the ideal location to get contacts together. The hall’s Parlour and Boudoir rooms are ideal for private business dinners, small meetings and away days to escape the office. And the boardroom can seat up to 18 delegates and is regularly occupied by local businesses and schools making the most of its state-of-the-art technology. Ramsay Health Care are just one of the companies who regularly book the hall for lunch events, while Redline Cars will be using Acklam Hall as the stunning backdrop for a supercar launch next year. Acklam Hall are now poised to offer business clients an even greater range of options too – including giving more Teesside companies the opportunity to be based there after receiving planning permission for a 25,000 sq ft development to the side of the hall. Managing director Michael Jones said: “We’re in the early stages of developing ideas to progress our business offer but we want to concentrate on what we do best. “We already have a restaurant which is getting busier all the time, but we know the introduction of accommodation, long let apartment schemes, larger event space and more serviced offices will be a success.” Acklam Hall offers 95 free parking spaces to its resident office-based businesses, and its virtual office packages are also taking MEETINGS VIRTUAL OFFICE off as firms enjoy a cheaper alternative to a serviced office, while reaping the benefit of the hall's prestigious address and reception service. Acklam Hall prides itself on friendly and flexible customer service, and Enterprise Made Simple is one of its many satisfied business customers, having rented office space there since the early days after renovation. The firm’s financial director Cathy Rutherford said: “We’ve loved being part of such a thriving business community in an iconic location. “During the time we've been here, our company has gone from strength to strength so when it came to expanding our premises, there was only one choice for us. “Expanding into our fourth and fifth office at Acklam Hall is a really exciting time for us – and we're delighted to now have a training facility here so we can share this beautiful building and exceptional quality of customer service with our delegates.” SERVICED OFFICES CORPORATE Acklam Hall, Hall Drive, Middlesbrough, TS5 7DY | Tel 010642 822000 | [email protected]