ehB helps high-end interior design firm move to Warwickshire

A high-end interior design firm set up by the former directors of High Street brand Fired Earth has moved to Warwickshire ahead of its official launch.

Claybrook Studio has moved from premises in Bloxham, Oxfordshire to Westfield Road in Southam as well as opening a London showroom in the hip Curtain Road, Shoreditch.

The commercial premises, on Southam’s Kineton Road industrial estate, measure in at just over 12,200 sq ft and will be Claybrook’s main office space and distribution centre.

The team behind Claybrook – CEO Andy Manders, creative director Rob Whitaker and marketing director Lucy Kenna – were responsible for returning Fired Earth to profit in 2013 after a decade of losses.

The team is backed in its new venture with £4m of equity from Arnhold and Co, a Hong Kong-based manufacturer and supplier of natural stone, mosaic tiles and bathrooms.

“Our multi-skilled and knowledgeable team has a diverse background with experience ranging from designing theatre sets through to American retailing and high-end fashion. One thing we have in common is a love of tile, with more than 100 years’ experience between us,” said Andy.

“This experience allows us to discard many of the generic styles available from myriad websites and high street shops and over time we will expand to include other home product equally as tactile and well-made.

“We are also making a commitment to quality customer service, after living through all of the frustrations associated with the choosing, buying and delivering of lifestyle products in the mainstream ourselves.

“A central, well-served location like Southam makes perfect sense to us and we’re hoping to be a successful part of the Warwickshire business community for many years to come.”

Simon Hain, commercial property consultant and director of ehB Commercial, who leased the property to Claybrook, said: “The team know their business and hopefully Claybrook is going to become a household name over time.

“We’ve been working with them since they chose Southam as their base and it is a good-sized property we’ve leased to them. We’re delighted they chose a building through ehB, our client Wesleyan Assurance Society is delighted with its new tenant and jointly we wish them every success in their new venture.”