Dozens gather to "meet the neighbours" at Bond's Mill

More than 40 people gathered for a ‘Meet the Neighbour’ breakfast at Bond’s Mill in Stonehouse, hosted by Omega Resource and landlords Robert Hitchins Ltd.

Senior Team Manager Kris Smith from award-winning recruitment company Omega welcomed guests to the networking event, organised by Circle2Success.

Helen Hawke, Asset and Administration Manager at Robert Hitchins, gave guests a brief history of Bond’s Mill which was one of the largest woollen mills in Gloucestershire until the 1930s. It was bought by the Robert Hitchins Group in 2000.

“Significant investment has been put into the development to upgrade the site’s facilities and accommodation whilst thoughtfully safeguarding the many features of history and landscape which make the estate what it is today: a thriving business community and delightful working environment,” she said.

Bond’s Mill, on the A419 and close to Junction 13 of the M5, is now home to 50 tenants which include major businesses such as UK Power Solutions, Green Gourmet, BPE Solicitors and Omega, as well as start-ups such as Peartree Flowers.

Robert Hitchins also owns the neighbouring Stonehouse Park where modern buildings offer an alternative style of office accommodation. The two developments complement each other: for example, training company Sanctus started in 2000 by leasing 150sq ft at Bond’s Mill and now has more than 7,000sq ft at Stonehouse Park.

Omega Resource Group, part of the Staffline Group, started with 2,000 sq ft at Bond’s Mill shortly after it was founded in 1998 and has expanded to 9,000 sq ft.

Some breakfast guests took the opportunity to visit the restored 18th century courtyard and mill race at the heart of Bond’s Mill, which is situated alongside the Stroudwater Canal in a mix of refurbished Victorian mill buildings and modern commercial premises.

• Picture: L-r: Tina Smith from Sanctus, Helen Hawke from Robert Hitchins, Tina Seymour from Hope for Tomorrow, and Lizzie Gissane from Peartree Flowers at the business networking event held at Omega Resource, Bond’s Mill, Stonehouse *