High-end watch designer Abbott Lyon has moved its head office to a classic Georgian property in Bath’s city centre, as part of plans for an international expansion.
Best known online and through social media, the firm prides itself on creating premium yet affordable timepieces with complementary jewellery that is trend-focused.
Abbott Lyon trialled having a high street presence in Bath during Christmas 2017, and the appeal of the historic city has now inspired the company to move its head office to premises on Gay Street, owned and managed by HPH Commercial Property.
Abbott Lyon has signed a five-year deal with HPH on 1,350sq ft of office space over two floors. Hugh Warren at Derek Walker acted as the agent for the letting.
Jezz Skelton, founder and Managing Director of Abbott Lyon, launched the firm in 2015 in his hometown of Cirencester.
He said: “Cirencester is a great town, however we struggled to find the right kind of people to work for us.
“We’re a young, fast paced company. A lot of our team started to come from Bath, so we decided to make the move.”
“I’ve always been interested in fashion and business. At the time there was no one offering anything like Abbott Lyon in the UK, so I decided to go for it. The industry we’re in is super-fast moving and offers so much potential to scale and grow.
“Abbott Lyon gives the impression of a luxury designer brand, even when you pick-up and feel our watches or jewellery the quality is immediately obvious. However, our price-point is accessible.”
Abbott Lyon currently employs 17 members of staff and the company is now focused on international expansion and wholesale.
It launched in Germany just before Christmas and is due to launch into the US by April.
Lindsay Holdoway, Managing Director of HPH Commercial Property, said: “Bath has always been associated with fashion and luxury and we are thrilled to welcome such an exciting and innovative business to our offices on Gay Street. We look forward to supporting Abbott Lyon as they continue to grow.”
He added: “Gay Street is the perfect central location for a fledgling firm looking to make its mark within the Bath business community and beyond. We carried out an ambitious refurbishment of the Grade I building just two years ago making it sustainable and efficient office space, which will benefit Abbott Lyon.”
