BDGworkfutures ferments Lay & Wheeler workplace

BDGworkfutures goes on site this week in the final phase of its refurbishment of wine merchant Lay & Wheeler’s new 93m2 Suffolk headquarters.

The project encompasses the main office space, staff areas including a café, wine-tasting facilities, a conference suite and a retail space for the company.

BDGworkfutures was appointed in March, with the project due for completion later this month.

The wine merchant, which currently occupies four buildings in Colchester, has made the move to consolidate its sales, marketing and management operations under one roof.

‘We asked BDGworkfutures to help us use the space as effectively as possible to acknowledge the tradition of the company, but to recognise the 21st century working environment,’ says Lay & Wheeler business manager retail and hospitality division Alex Scarf.

According to BDGworkfutures managing director Phil Hutchinson, who is creative lead on the project, the group’s solution provides a light, airy environment while retaining the original features of the 19th century building, including its ceiling beams.

The minimal interior will include flagstone floors and soft beige colours to ‘complement the dark wood of the beams’, he adds.