What happens when you bring together a variety of businesses under one roof? At Trafalgar House in Altrincham, the answer is a thriving community where cross-referrals flow freely, networking happens naturally, and companies of all sizes are finding the space to grow.
From insurance brokers to aesthetics clinics, pilates studios to business services companies, Trafalgar House on Manchester Road has become home to a remarkably diverse community of thriving businesses.
What unites them isn't just the modern office space they occupy, but the tangible benefits they've discovered since making the move – from cross-referral opportunities and networking success to professional facilities that enhance their business image.
Following a £3 million transformation by local family business Selbourne Group, the 34,000 sq ft building is now proof of the extent to which the right environment can help businesses of all sizes flourish.
With a number of high-quality, self-contained business suites recently completed on its second floor, Trafalgar House is ready to welcome a new wave of tenants.
We caught up with some of the current tenants to learn more about their experiences so far.
A community that works together
"There's a great sense of energy and connection," explains Karon Cascoe-Port, Senior Business Services Administrator at Rullion Ltd, who moved her team from Mansion House.
"It's become a place where people genuinely enjoy working and spending time together." Her enthusiasm is infectious, much like the "occasional impromptu singing" she admits can occasionally keep the office atmosphere lively.
This sense of community extends beyond individual businesses. Paula Heyes, who runs Core Reformer Pilates from the building while her husband operates his own business from a separate suite, explained: "There is a little community here at Trafalgar House, and we all get along well. As all the health and wellbeing businesses have different niches, we can recommend each other to clients."
This cross-referral network has proven particularly valuable for businesses in the health and wellness sector. Debby Jones, owner of Flawless Aesthetics, said: "This is the beauty of a community of health and well-being businesses in close proximity to each other – it works in everyone's better interests because our services complement each other so well."
Modern amenities meet professional needs
The transformation of Trafalgar House has created spaces that genuinely meet modern business requirements. Linda Ryan, who chose the building for her insurance brokerage Quote Co, was immediately impressed: "The building looks extremely smart and well maintained, the offices are newly refurbished and provide a very professional vibe."
For businesses requiring clinical-grade facilities, the building delivers. Debby Jones emphasised the importance of having "clean and fresh" spaces for her aesthetics practice, praising the "latest LED lighting and fabulous air conditioning, double glazing that protects from noise pollution, and excellent heating with pre-installed, high-speed internet connectivity".
The practical amenities extend beyond individual suites. The on-site café has become a valuable asset for networking and client relations. As Paula Heyes added: "There is an on-site café serving fantastic Kickback Coffee, which is great for when my clients need to wait before their Reformer Class or for networking afterwards over a coffee."
Location: The perfect balance
One of Trafalgar House's key advantages lies in its positioning – close enough to Altrincham town centre for convenience, yet far enough to offer better value and parking solutions. Linda Ryan's experience is typical: "Initially we looked at Altrincham centre, however, we immediately decided on Trafalgar as soon as we stepped inside to view the available units."
The transport connections have proven excellent for both staff and clients. Debby Jones highlights the "excellent access points from all directions including direct access from Manchester Road (A56)... fabulous public transport links with numerous bus routes passing immediately to the front of the building and Navigation Road Metrolink station is a few minutes’ walk away."
For Paula Heyes, the location provides natural marketing opportunities: "The busy Manchester Road outside Trafalgar House has become a massive advertisement for obtaining clients organically, while access to the metrolink means we have a lot of potential clients walk past the building."
Flexibility for growing businesses
Perhaps most importantly, Trafalgar House offers the flexibility that modern businesses need. The building accommodates everything from two-person start-ups to established companies requiring space for 80 people. This scalability gives businesses room to grow, as Karon Cascoe-Port said: "We know that if our needs change or we expand, Selbourne will be there to support us."
The lease arrangements reflect this flexible approach. Linda Ryan, nervous about her first office rental, found the process refreshingly straightforward: "Michael and his team were extremely professional but laid back... absolutely no pressure from start to end, just very pleasant and very helpful."
Investment in Community
Michael de Massey, Managing Director of Selbourne Group, explained the philosophy behind the transformation: "We have transformed a traditional large office space into a number of high-quality, self-contained offices of varying sizes, from small suites for two to four people to larger offices that can accommodate up to 80 people."
He added: "We're probably 30% cheaper than town centre office spaces, yet we offer many of the same benefits, including excellent amenities, high-spec finishes and great connectivity." These facilities include high-speed internet (30Mbps guaranteed bandwidth), state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, conference rooms, breakout areas, showers, bike storage, and that all-important commodity for businesses near town centres – dedicated parking spaces.
Looking forward
As Trafalgar House completes its transformation with the unveiling of its new second-floor suites, the building represents something increasingly rare in Altrincham: office space that is high-spec and yet affordable.
For Quote Co's Linda Ryan, the decision has paid dividends: "Trafalgar House has certainly provided the base where we have been able to flourish in our first 12 months of trading." Meanwhile, Karon Cascoe-Port looks ahead optimistically: "It's exciting to think about what's ahead, knowing we have such a solid base to build from."
How to Arrange a Viewing
With the second-floor suites now available for rent, businesses interested in viewing the space can contact Selbourne Group via their website selbournegroup.com or email office@selbournegroup.com.
Viewings can also be arranged through property agents Canning O’Neill (0161 244 5500) or Williams Sillitoe (0161 850 8030).
