Trafalgar House is one of those big Altrincham buildings that, perhaps unknowingly, you've driven or walked past a thousand times.
Located just yards from the Bridgewater Canal and a stone's throw from Halfords and the Bridgewater Retail Park, it sits behind The Navigation pub off Manchester Road.
For years, this 1970s office block's primary purpose was the head office of Carole Nash, the motorcycle insurance broker which at one point housed 400 staff inside.
But over the last four years, following Carole Nash's acquisition and move elsewhere, Trafalgar House has quietly been undergoing something of a renaissance.
Step inside the 34,000 sq ft building now and you will see the stunning results of a £3million transformation project that concludes this autumn.
The whole space has been refurbished into smart office space for the modern worker, with windows replaced, common areas and toilet facilities upgraded, a new heating system installed and the whole building rewired.
It’s all the work of Selbourne Group, a local family business established by Robert de Massey in 1998 and, following his untimely death resulting from a brain haemorrhage, run for the past 18 years by his son, Michael.
“We are very much a family business,” said Michael. “I originally stepped in as a temporary measure but when my father didn't recover I carried on in the role and have been here for 18 years now. My mother is also still involved and gives the benefit of her experience.
“We try and use local suppliers where possible and position ourselves as part of the local community. We are committed to the Altrincham area.”
Trafalgar House’s transformation will also complete a broader upgrade for all of Selbourne Group’s properties in Altrincham, which include Mansion House across the road, the Kids Allowed nursery in Broadheath, and The Arches, a run of 20 self-contained railway arches on the site of the former Broadheath viaduct.
Trafalgar House had been bought by Michael’s father 30 years ago, but when Carole Nash and Arqiva vacated the building just before Covid struck, the Selbourne team set about reimagining it.
“It was a more traditional kind of office back then,” said Michael. “When we got the space back we set about rethinking the best approach for the building.”
With planning rules relaxed during Covid and a new ‘E’ Use Class introduced, Selbourne decided to target healthcare and fitness businesses as potential tenants for the first part of the Trafalgar House transformation to be completed.
The move proved popular, with the likes of Dental Scan, Cheshire Yoga and Flawless Aesthetics Cheshire all taking space within a section of the building called The Studios.
“It has worked really well as a health and fitness destination,” said Michael.
Following that success, Selbourne split the first floor into smaller units, with recent tenants including online mirror retailer Mirror Maison.
A further eight refurbished suites will be available to let from this autumn.
The refurbished Trafalgar House is “as good as anything in Altrincham town centre”, said Michael.
“We're probably 30% cheaper than being in central Altrincham but you have many of the same benefits. There’s also a very good parking ratio, with around 180 spaces.”
All the toilets and common areas have been given an upgrade, too, and there are lockers and showers on hand for any cyclists commuting to the office. There’s even a Reformer Pilates studio with classes open for tenants.
One of the most alluring features is the new coffee shop at the heart of Trafalgar House, with artisan coffee supplied by another of Selbourne Group’s tenants, Kickback Coffee.
“I’ve been really impressed with what Alex (Shaw, Kickback Coffee founder) has done and the coffee they provide,” added Michael. “We’re so pleased they are part of the rebirth of the building and our tenants love having them here.”
He added: “We've tried to position Trafalgar House slightly differently to the other offerings like the Regus space and the HQ in Altrincham.
“We’ve put money and effort into getting the building to a high standard - we want it to be flexible and attract as many different businesses as possible.
“We’re also on-site, so we’re able to offer a very personal service to tenants.
“My message to local businesses would be to come down and have a look.”
For more information about available units at Trafalgar House, contact Selbourne Group on 0161 941 7788.
