Established in 1979, Central Employment is privately owned and one of Newcastle’s most successful and well-established professional recruitment consultancies. Specialising in the recruitment of permanent, temporary and contract personnel with organisations across the UK.
Due to recent rapid growth of the business, they found that their existing premises, a series of interconnecting Victorian terraced properties didn’t foster the cross-department collaboration and sense of community they desired, with teams housed in a series of small rooms or even split across different floors.
The move to a single 8,000 Sq Ft floor plate at Portland House signified the board’s passion and drive to take the business to the next level and raise their profile further in the business community and area.
The suite at Portland House works perfectly for their business. It provides an important ground floor presence with unique dual entrances. A main reception for candidates is facing the Lang Art Gallery via pedestrianised access with a second entrance via the main building entrance and reception which is perfect for visitors and corporate clients.
The candidate reception and waiting area has a bespoke reception desk, timber feature wall integrating planting and acoustic ceiling rafts. Leading from the reception is a large training room and a series of small informal meeting and interview rooms that flow into a communal candidate breakout space.
This space has been cleverly segregated to provide two uses by the Ikons of Denmark 4T system, being both a break area and informal training space. The 4T system houses integrated planters, glazed panels and a drywipe board, the nature of its construction provides the division required whilst maintain a modern and unrestricted feel.
To the opposite entrance is the corporate waiting area with media wall, boardroom, main breakout area with tiered seating. The dining, breakout and occasional seating are from the Nomique’s Plastic Whale range which are made from recycled PU bottles.
Adjacent is a firm favourite with the staff – The Snug. It benefits from LED mood lighting, wall plants, subdued tones, large Lagunitas L shape sofa with its unique lumbar support and of course a big TV screen. A fantastic multipurpose space for group meetings, teams calls, HR conversations or simply a space to focus and work independently.
Centrally sees the work area with Director offices, resource area and open plan desking and seating from Steelcase. Part height desk end storage with planter tops provide some privacy for users whilst bringing some further greenery into the workplace. General filing is maximised, and staff coats are accommodated in full height storage wall units.
The fit-out throughout has a fresh contemporary approach with neutral colours and tones plus interesting uses in changes in floorcoverings to define areas and walkways.
