Norfolk Country Cottages to move to Bank Chambers

The Original Cottage Company, which operates in the region as Norfolk Country Cottages, will shortly complete the purchase of the Bank Chambers building in Reepham’s Market Place, the current home of Quinneys chartered accountants.
 

The Original Cottage Company will shortly complete the purchase of the Bank Chambers building in Reepham’s Market Place. Photo: John Tym www.tympix.com

 
James Ellis, business development director at The Original Cottage Company, said: “This is very exciting for us as it will secure the future of our business in Reepham for the long term.
 
“As some people may know, we have been bursting at the seams in Carlton House/Melton House with the continued growth of our business, and things have been starting to get tight again recently.”
 
Quinneys will be moving to Hellesdon Park on the outskirts of Norwich, where the company already has staff located, and as a result of the move will continue to service its clients throughout the region from there.
 
Mark Lamb, a director of Quinneys, said: “While we are sorry to be leaving Reepham after 22 years, we are excited about our move into Norwich and are delighted that The Original Cottage Company will be giving Bank Chambers a new lease of life and putting it to such good use.”
 
The Original Cottage Company currently employs 35 people at the Reepham headquarters, with another five due to be recruited this year. “And we will be expanding even further in the longer term,” Mr Ellis revealed.
 
To overcome the immediate space shortage, the company has been renting some rooms at the Bircham Centre where it has also hired the large meeting room on occasions.
 
The Original Cottage Company will be carrying out extensive work on the early 19th century, red brick and slate, three-storey building to modernise it and make it fit for purpose with modern office specifications that could comfortably accommodate up to 50-55 employees.
 
The company is still in the early stages of planning this work, but envisages it will take around six months to complete before staff can be moved in.
 
Mr Ellis acknowledged that parking in Reepham is at a premium at present and will become a bigger issue for the town as it becomes more of a destination for successful businesses and visitors alike.
 
“For our part, we try to encourage as much lift-sharing as possible from our people who come by car from Norwich and many do cycle in the better weather months,” he said.
 
“We would be very happy to support any initiatives to alleviate the parking problems now and in the future, and would welcome a positive discussion with the Town Team on this.”
 
The company’s move to Bank Chambers will provide flexibility for further growth as some space will be retained in Carlton House, and will also offer the possibility of returning Melton House to a shop.
 
The ownership of both these properties, also located on Market Place, will be retained. “However, this will be a good opportunity to provide additional office/retail space in Reepham,” said Mr Ellis. “We’re open to any suggestions.
 
“And for anybody who is interested, we will be doing a tour of Bank Chambers and outlining our plans for the place on Monday 31 March at 5.30 pm. We may even show you the old vault. But watch out, the locks are still on the doors!”
 
For further information about the Bank Chambers tour, please contact Gemma Brown g.brown@tocc.co.uk or James Ellis on 01603 876220.
 
Former bank
 
The Grade II listed Bank Chambers in Reepham was formerly a branch of Barclays Bank. When The Original Cottage Company moves there in September as planned, marketing analyst Andy Gostling will be the third generation of the Gostling family to have worked in the building.
 
His mother, Brenda, worked for Douglas Construction, which occupied the first floor of Bank Chambers from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, and his grandfather was bank manager during the 1970s.
 
Mrs Gostling, who is currently chairman of Reepham Chamber of Commerce, commented: “This is another boost for the long-term prosperity of Reepham. I’m delighted that Bank Chambers’ future is assured, thanks to James and the other Original Cottage Company directors. It just proves that this is a great place to do business as well as a great place to live.”
 
See our earlier news story:

 

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