Pace Micro Technology - Bistro/ Restaurant, Bradfo

Pace Micro Technology (Restaurant): Bradford

Location: Saltaire, Bradford

Sector: Industrial/ Manufacturing/ Engineering, Science/ Technology

Project Size: 8,000 sq ft

Programme: 16 weeks

Scope of Works: Consultancy > Design > Fit-Out

The Brief

Founded by Victorian philanthropist, Sir Titus Salt, as a state of the art manufacturing facility in 1851, Salt’s Mill is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but also home to one the world’s leading technology companies, Pace Plc.
Pace Plc supplies digital technology, including set-top boxes to the Pay TV market across the world. In a market that thrives on innovation and quality, the company was clear in its brief to redevelop their existing facilities in keeping with these principles.
As part of the initial consultation process, Claremont was brought on board to identify a number of key focus areas for re-development works, one of which was the existing café which was currently being shared with another occupier of Salt’s Mill and located on the periphery of the Pace site.

The Solution

A large, disused space in the main courtyard of the complex was currently being used by the client for storage and, due to its size and central location, Claremont proposed that this be refurbished to create a new café facility.
The installation included a coffee bar, ‘grab & go’ snack selection and a hot food serving station, complete with a ‘theatre cooking’ area providing a space for meal demonstrations. An adjoining open plan seating area was created to accommodate 140 staff, as well as further breakout areas and ‘coffee cave’ - with the overall effect of a much more relaxed, informal alternative to the standard corporate canteen
A semi-enclosed Games Room, complete with Pool table, was also introduced into a secluded corner, as well as an informal boardroom appropriate for catered meetings.

The Result

Ann Clarke, Design Director of Claremont Group Interiors comments:
“We looked at how the space around the building was being used, and how to be more creative with it. The staff restaurant was relocated to a more central position and dramatically transformed so that it encourages employees to congregate, eat good food, and share ideas with each other. There are internet terminals around the room, together with a games room that encourages employees to have fun. We have managed to maintain and enhance the feel of Pace’s Grade II listed home but also convey an image of modernity based on Pace’s contemporary management ideals of interaction, knowledge sharing, relaxation and empowerment."

Related downloads

'Keeping Pace with the world of technology' (Yorkshire Business Post) (PDF, 360K)
'Pace of change is vital' (Bradford Telegraph & Argus) (PDF, 344K)
'Pace of change' (Facilities Management Excellence) (PDF, 1.2MB)

“We have seen a number of changes in the company since moving to the site in Salts Mill nearly 20 years ago. Today we are operating in a thriving business with customers across the world. Our headquarters needed to reflect the direction and energy behind Pace and give our international visitors a feel for the dynamic nature of the company. The refurbishment is far more than a facelift. A key tenet behind the project was to create a workplace that encourages interaction between people and fosters innovation throughout the company. This is about a culture change in our organisation.”

Neil Gaydon, Chief Executive Officer - Pace Micro Technology plc