Award-winning Isle of Wight marine equipment specialist Spinlock has unveiled its impressive new headquarters at an historic landmark – Cowes Town Police Station.
Spinlock, honoured with the first King’s Award for Innovation in April, is now operating from the 125-year-old building brought back to life following an extensive redevelopment.
Renovation of the formerly derelict police station
After almost 50 years on the Cowes waterfront in Birmingham Road, the dynamic B-Corp business has moved just across the road following an 18-month renovation and extension of the formerly derelict police station to make the building fit for future growth.
The transformed premises now offer modern offices and open spaces to inspire and encourage collaboration, and provide a welcoming environment for Spinlock’s marine clients.
New top floor
The addition of a contemporary designed top floor provides an additional meeting and networking area for Spinlock, with access to a terrace overlooking the Solent.
Quirky features, such as police cell doors, have been incorporated into the interior redesign and the exact blue of the original Police sign has been reproduced for the Spinlock logo branding.
Hill: A milestone event and a real investment in Spinlock’s future
Spinlock’s Chief Executive Chris Hill said,
“Moving into our new larger head office is a milestone event and a real investment in Spinlock’s future.
“Following the recent 40% expansion of our manufacturing centre in Cowes, the new head office provides the space needed to continue our growth trajectory. All our products are designed and manufactured in Cowes and the new head office gives our design team new workshops, sampling and resources to develop new and exciting products more efficiently, and to grow as a team.
“The expansion of our design, marketing and sales facility also enables us to continue operating and greeting clients in Cowes. The majority of our customers are spread over 66 countries and they truly value this connection and the opportunity to visit us at this iconic yachting venue.
“We regularly host training, new product and sales and marketing conferences and the new HQ provides space for large groups of stakeholders to visit and develop their relationship and business with Spinlock.
“This exciting new phase follows the honour of Spinlock becoming the first recipient of the King’s Award for Innovation and our certification as a B-Corp, which recognises Spinlock’s high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.”
Senior: Found the solution right on our doorstep
Operations Director, Caroline Senior, said,
“We are delighted to be operating from our wonderful new HQ and welcoming our global clients. It is fantastic to see the building redevelopment and the move come to fruition, necessitated by our need for more space while wanting to maintain our links in this iconic Cowes location.
“We started looking for bigger premises before Covid and found the solution right on our doorstep. The derelict Cowes Town Police Station had been standing empty for a decade and was perfect for us. The pandemic delayed the large-scale building work, but it finally got underway with an excellent construction team who brought the property back to life.
“Repurposing a 125-year old-building was never going to be the easiest option, but the potential hidden within was there to be discovered. It required foresight and commitment to provide a workplace that was good for the team, our visitors and the environment.
“When it came to the extensive redevelopment and extension of the old police station, we were not surprised to find the knowledge and experience available locally, reusing existing materials and using local suppliers. This group worked with us to deliver a remarkable new head office for Spinlock, an investment in its future which enables it to continue with Cowes very much as its home and preserves a local landmark for the community.”
Find out more by visiting the Spinlock Website.
News shared by Donna on behalf of Spinlock. Ed