CAMPUS, Reading

Heather Smith Commercial was appointed by Alchemy Asset Management in July 2020 whilst they were under offer to purchase the 375,000 sq ft office building in Reading. Around 196,000 sq ft is let to existing occupiers and 178,620 sq ft is available and subject to a comprehensive refurbishment.

Heather Smith Commercial was asked to contribute to the Due Diligence and planning phase – to carry out a review of opinions amongst the existing community. Discussions were held around the current use of space and the potential for improvements to the building. We presented potential refurbishment ideas to the existing community to gauge whether they’d be popular – it is crucial to include our current audience at this stage, in order to bring them along with the new brand.

As construction has commenced and the new marketing brand has evolved, HSC have been appointment to assist with the communications strategy. This has included working with the brand agency, the agents, management agents and contractors to successfully ensure the messaging and communication channels flow. We attend the monthly occupier meetings to ensure that any queries or suggestions are heard but also to supply information and discuss progress with the team.

We also assist with all digital media which includes LinkedIn campaigns, Social Media content, website, app briefing, content and social engagement. We are experts in the S of ESG and are working towards accreditations for the project.

Practical Completion of the project was May 2022 and we have begun to work with the recently appointed third party gym and café suppliers to integrate them into the community, marketing and communication strategy.

“HSC has supported the Campus team providing a service which we have rarely seen offered in the market – to effectively communicate with employees and organisations, whether undertaking surveys, growing databases for future communications, or developing a strategy for longer term engagement. The team merge strong PR & influencing skills with a very clear understanding of our goals and objectives as an developer/investor, communicating our vision in a clear and relevant way. This in part is achieved by Heather’s longstanding experience in the office sector, which differentiates her offer and is demonstrated in her work and understanding of our customers.”

Guy Bishop, Director of Alchemy

www.campus-reading.com