Retail fit-out firm eyes growth as clients embrace high-end interiors and cafe culture

A Solihull-based retail and commercial interior fit-out specialist is confident of future growth as its clients move towards high-end interiors and embrace café culture.

Parklea Projects, formed in 2008 by Paul Malone, has recently moved to the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre - owned by Solihull Council and managed by the University of Warwick Science Park.

The firm, which boasts clients such as Hotel Chocolat, Sports Direct, Flannels, Harrods, Moss Bros and Molton Brown is seeing more requests for improving its customers’ interiors or to help install new café areas.

As this demand grew, Parklea Projects wanted to upgrade its own office space to somewhere bright and inviting for its own staff to work from.

Paul said: “By its nature, our work fluctuates depending on the needs of our clients and many are moving to larger retail spaces, which is resulting in higher contract values and increased revenue for the business.

“Additionally, the popularity of cafes has also seen a lot of our clients, such as Hotel Chocolat, looking to change the interiors of some of their own stores to take advantage of this ever-growing trend.

“This, along with the solid base we have built up with our clients and our established team of subcontractors over the years, has resulted in a lot more work coming in recently.

“We’re also hopeful of growing our commercial fit-out side too, which is ripe for growth after a long focus on retail.”

Parklea Projects’ core team moved to Blythe Valley Innovation Centre after wanting a more impressive location and potential for future expansion.

“It’s a brilliant place to bring clients – we rarely had them over at our old offices,” Paul added.

“The Innovation Centre’s links with the University of Warwick and the expertise that comes with that were also attractive to us.

“And we felt the possibility of expansion would be easier at the Innovation Centre due to its flexible leasing model. It just made sense for us to move here.”

Andy Stewart, centre manager at Blythe Valley Innovation Centre, said: “We’re delighted to have welcomed Parklea Projects to the Innovation Centre, and that they are set to use it as a base for future growth.

“Paul and the team are adapting well to the changing trends in retail and commercial, and if they are able to expand as planned, we will be able to provide them with a larger space should they need it.

“All tenants at Blythe Valley Innovation Centre can benefit from our ability to offer increased space as they grow thanks to our flexible leases.”

Cllr Ian Courts, leader of Solihull Council and cabinet member for the Economy, said: "As general trends in hospitality and retail evolve, we are seeing an increasing demand for high quality commercial fit-outs. Responding to this new demand represents a really exciting growth opportunity for innovative and ambitious businesses like Parklea Projects.

"It was great to meet with Paul and the team, as they settle in at the Blythe Valley Innovation Centre. I’m sure that their inviting new offices will serve as the perfect base to expand and continue growing their already impressive client list.” 

Pictured (L-R): Robert Proudfoot, Julie Malone, Sophie Malone (all Parklea Projects), Cllr Ian Courts (leader of Solihull Council), Paul Malone (founder of Parklea Projects), Andy Stewart (centre manager at Blythe Valley Innovation Centre)