Sunderland based Stafford Accountancy has relocated into the sought-after £3.5m redevelopment of the former Gilbridge Police Station, The Yard, in Keel Square Sunderland.
Stafford Accountancy, which has been based in Sunderland since 1994, has moved to The Yard in a letting facilitated by Bradley Hall on behalf of the landlord, Northern property firm Hanro Group.
The Yard sits in the heart of the Riverside Sunderland redevelopment and is one of the city’s newest business centres and is now home to a range of operators including Sunderland BID, Morton’s Law and The Cell – a gym and fitness centre based in the former custody cells.
Richard Rafique, Managing Director of Commercial Property at Bradley Hall, commented on the lease: “We have worked with Hanro since the initial redevelopment of The Yard and it has been fantastic to see so many new businesses choosing to relocate to the Riverside Sunderland and Keel Square areas.
“Stafford’s move to The Yard is another coup for the area and I wish them the very best in their new premises.”
The move follows a successful few years for Stafford in which it has seen its headcount grow and expanded its client base. Traditionally focused on serving the North of England, the rise of remote working saw the firm onboard several new clients from across the UK during the pandemic.
And with plans afoot to continue embracing digital innovations in the accountancy sector and the creation of more jobs, the husband and wife team behind the business, Lyndsey and Mark Everett, are excited about the future.
Lyndsey said: “The move to The Yard marks the beginning of what is an exciting new chapter for the firm.
“Situated at the heart of Riverside Sunderland, it places us right on the doorstep of a whole host of exciting developments such as the Holiday Inn, Botanist and City Hall.
“It will also see us take on a more modern, open-plan space which will not only allow us to work better as a team but also to provide a great training environment for new employees as we continue to grow.”
Lyndsey and Mark took over the running of the business following the retirement of its founding partner in 2020.
Since taking over the business, the pair have made a commitment to futureproof the business by digitising its operations and this was another factor which influenced their decision to relocate.
Mark said: “One of the things we’re really keen to do is move away from the traditional accountancy model and become more of a digital-first business.
“We’ve made great strides in achieving this over recent years but the move to The Yard – which will be right at the heart of the city’s 5G roll-out – will really help us build on this as we continue to grow.
“It will see us significantly improve the quality of service we are able to offer clients, make us a greener business and allow us to create more skilled roles as we continue to grow. It’s a really exciting time for the business.”
Stafford Accountancy was supported in its move to The Yard – which opened its doors last year following Hanro Group’s £3.5m redevelopment of the former Gilbridge Police Station – by the business investment team at Sunderland City Council.
Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: “A key part of the Riverside Sunderland development was to make this part of the city one of the region’s most sought-after business addresses and this is a fantastic example of how it is fast becoming just that.
“Stafford Accountancy is a forward-thinking, progressive business which could’ve relocated anywhere however it has chosen to continue investing in the city and creating opportunities for local people.
“We are thrilled to welcome the team to Riverside Sunderland and look forward to following the business’ journey as it continues to grow.”
Laura Lloyd, head of portfolio at Hanro Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome Stafford Accountancy to The Yard. They are a well-respected, local firm and we couldn’t be happier that they have chosen The Yard as their new head office location.”
For information on commercial premises available at Riverside Sunderland, contact Bradley Hall’s Sunderland branch on 0191 563 4242.
