The designs produced by TXTURED aren’t the standard designs you’d expect to see in a commercial space or a home – they are enduring, timeless aesthetics that elevate lives and experiences.

The company’s founder, Simon Mayhew, started the business from home but that arrangement had become too limiting. He needed space to grow, took the leap and began the search for TXTURED’s first studio office.

To do that, Level was appointed following an introduction by a mutual contact.

Simon said: “I went to a networking event at West Tower, where I was introduced to Sam Harris. We got chatting, and I really liked Sam’s vibe, he was friendly and genuine.

“I’m good at reading people, and when I meet someone genuine I always try to support them however I can. Later, when I was looking for a studio space, I thought of Sam. I messaged him and he showed me a few places.”

Finding a professional space for a small, growing company

A studio would give TXTURED the perfect space to meet with clients and suppliers. It would also add a level of professionalism to the business that couldn’t be achieved when the team was working from home. Getting the right office was therefore a key part of the company’s growth plans.

However, finding that ideal workspace proved to be a challenge. Most offices are designed for teams of two, three, four or more and are priced accordingly, while Simon was working solo. However, he also needed something spacious enough to bring clients in.

Additionally, he wanted to be close to Soho House and the Spinningfields area, adding a location constraint to the brief that further narrowed the potential options.

So, despite having a small, single-person budget, we set to work looking for a larger space in one of Manchester’s premium business locations that had everything Simon needed to operate and grow TXTURED.

The power of market knowledge in the world of office search

The Level team got to work and began arranging viewings within days. Almost immediately we found a beautiful space that Simon loved, but which also appeared to be out of his budget.

Simon said:

“When Sam first showed me the room, I thought, 'Why is he showing me this? I can’t afford it. However, we were able to negotiate a great deal, and I was really happy with the outcome.

“I feel very lucky to have found this place at such a great price, especially given how nice the building is and how welcoming the people who own it are.

“After that, I did a refurb to make it my own, and the whole deal was finalized within about a month.”

Overall, we managed to save Simon almost 40% on the rent  on a flexible one-year deal through negotiation with the landlord and bring the office at This Is The Space on Quay Street into his budget range. Even better, the space allows him to bring his dogs with him and is close enough so that he can walk to work!

A fun space aligned with the business’ personality

TXTURED is a business that is full of character and it was important to find a workspace that aligned with that.

This Is The Space is a fun, quirky building that really stands out from the crowd in Manchester and provides the exact sort of environment Simon wanted for TXTURED.

He said:

“My studio has so much potential, and the whole space carries that same creative energy. It’s the kind of place that inspires creativity and provides an incredible environment for anyone leasing office space here.”

“I ended up with a six-person office, which took me a while to get comfortable with since I wasn’t planning to fill it with six people. However, the square footage fit my needs perfectly.

“The location is ideal, just a short walk from everywhere. Once Soho House opens nearby, it will make the experience even better. Overall, it’s been a really positive journey.”

Sam Harris, Workspace Advisor at Level Workspace, said: “Having such a precise brief can often make finding a perfect space for a client a more interesting challenge.

“That was certainly the case with TXTURED. Simon knew exactly what he wanted, and we had to dig deep and use every bit of market knowledge and past experience to find it.

“In the end, we were able to find him a perfect space opposite Soho House and negotiate a big rent decrease to bring it within his budget. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and it has been a pleasure watching Simon and TXTURED get comfortable in This Is The Space!”

Looking to rent flexible workspace in Manchester? Get in touch with the team today with a discovery call and find out how you can rent an office in Manchester which will help your company grow.

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