PR firm moves into former brewery and fire station

£60k investment will see the 186-year-old building in Stafford go from being used to fight real fires to figurative ones

Stafford based technology PR agency Stone Junction has moved into its new offices at the Malthouse on Water Street, Stafford, having spent £60,000 on refurbishment. The 2,500 sqft space, which is 2.5 times bigger than the company’s previous 900 sqft offices, will allow the 34-strong team to accommodate 45 people, creating space for up to 12 new jobs.

 

The aptly named Malthouse is a two-storey brick and tile building dating from 1837, which has been home to an eclectic mix of hosts over the years, being used as a fire station, brewery and now a PR firm.

 

A take on mid-century modern interior design, the new aesthetic is characterised by sleek, clean lines, organic shapes and muted tones, all running through a mixture of open-plan desk spaces, kitchen, breakout and meeting rooms.

 

“We wanted an office that reflected the way we feel as a business,” said Richard Stone, founder and managing director. “Our new space achieves this by being contemporary, creative, and collaborative. To provide a sense of belonging, every person gets their own desk, even though we operate a flexible working model with two days in the office and three days remotely.”

 

As well as moving into its new head office in Stafford, Stone Junction also launched its German and Romanian businesses earlier this year, to boost international growth. In 2022, it responded to the cost-of-living crisis by increasing all salaries by £3,000 and raising its starting salary for account executives to £23,000. As a result, the agency has seen its staff retention rate reach 88 per cent and the average length of service increase to four years.

 

Most recently, Stone Junction was listed in Campaign’s Best Places to Work, as well as being shortlisted for four awards by the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR), including an inaugural Best Environmental Campaign category.

 

The company is currently advertising for three jobs: PR account manager, PR account executive and public relations apprentice. To view these job listings and apply, visit www.wechangeminds.com/opportunities.

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