The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Tunbridge Wells MP the Right Honourable Greg Clark today (Friday 24 March) formally opened the new Tunbridge Wells headquarters of law firm Cripps – the first substantial office to have been built in the town for more than 25 years.
The 40,000 sq ft state of the art building, which is on the site of the former Kent & Sussex Hospital, was built by Berkeley Homes as part of its major Royal Wells Park development and is occupied by around 300 of the firm’s staff over four floors.
“This is a significant investment in Tunbridge Wells, securing jobs and continuing to benefit the local economy,” said Mr Clark. “Cripps has been in the town since the firm was founded in 1852 and in that time has become one of the most high profile law firms in the South East. I am delighted this large and significant local employer has shown such dedication to remaining in the town.”
The firm’s Tunbridge Wells offices were previously based in five different buildings in Mount Ephraim Road, which were increasingly unsuitable for its expansion. It took more than ten years to find an office building capable of accommodating all its staff under one roof.
“It has been a very long search but things had to be right,” said Gavin Tyler, managing partner at Cripps. “The way we work has changed significantly over the years. Modern business requires modern premises and we have made very significant investments in the latest technology and office systems to ensure that we can operate as collaboratively and efficiently as possible as well as ensuring that the client and visitor experience when visiting the office is memorable.
“As a business we are committed to Tunbridge Wells, its people and business community so we are delighted to have been able to find such wonderful offices at the heart of the town.”