The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Rob Appleyard, says an American company’s investment in new offices “proves there is no holding back the city’s vibrant business community.” 

The Mayor predicted a bright future for Bath as a tech-driven economic hub after commercial interiors specialists Paramount completed the new office design and fit-out for software company, SmartBear, who says it will become “the gold standard” for their offices worldwide. 

Paramount were engaged by the Boston-based business, a leading global provider of software development and visibility tools, to transform the 7,000sq ft workspace on the ground floor of Royal Mead, Railway Place in central Bath. 

The new SmartBear workplace was officially opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, November 15 by The Mayor, who paid tribute to both teams for creating a workspace that the city can be proud of. 

The Mayor said: “The impressive new SmartBear office proves there is absolutely no holding back Bath’s business community at the moment.   

“It was an honour for me to open such a splendid workplace and the bold design, masterminded by the Paramount team, really does say it all about Bath’s wider regeneration and economic growth.  

“SmartBear’s office not only offers graduates at our universities brilliant career opportunities, and keeps attracting talented people to Bath, but it also proves our city centre is very much on the up as a vibrant, technology-driven commercial hub.  

“Sizeable investment by a dynamic American company in these new surroundings is a ringing endorsement of Bath’s many merits by business leaders. It shows these are exciting times for Bath and demonstrates the city’s future is extremely bright.”  

The Paramount design team has put an emphasis on collaboration to support SmartBear’s growth across Europe. 

Paramount Sales Director, Kevin Mashford, said: “Paramount creates workspaces that inspire employees, encourage collaboration and embrace well-being. 

“We are very proud of the way our design team has created a workplace with a deep sense of community that will support SmartBear’s exciting journey and further strengthen Bath’s reputation as an outstanding place to live and work.” 

The office was originally opened a decade ago by application stability management pioneer, Bugsnag, acquired by SmartBear in 2021.  

The re-opening of the Bath office brings the Bugsnag team into a larger, SmartBear branded facility and coincides with the expansion of the company’s HQ in Somerville, Massachusetts. It will be followed by other SmartBear global office expansions in 2023, to bolster company culture and collaboration for its employees.  

SmartBear’s Chief Product Officer, Dan Faulkner, said: “We are proud to continue the investment the Bugsnag team began 10 years ago, bringing everyone together into an expanded space that cultivates exceptional employee experiences and truly reflects our SmartBear brand, values, and culture.  

“We look forward to continuing our commitment to ethical corporate practices and social responsibility, promoting good in the vibrant community of Bath. Our deepest thanks go to Paramount, a true partner throughout the entire renovation process, for this beautiful space that will become the gold standard for SmartBear offices around the world.” 

Paramount has also won plaudits for masterminding the interior design of the prestigious new office space in the 4.5-acre Bath Quays site, for leading local financial services consultancy and software provider, Altus.   

These latest projects follow a period of sustained growth for Paramount and the opening of the company’s new Bristol city centre base, which has strengthened the firm’s presence across the South West of England.

About Paramount  
Paramount is a workplace design, fit-out and build business with a difference. Creating places where people want to be. Paramount work across the whole of Wales and the South West, and increasingly the rest of the UK. Over the years, Paramount has developed a reputation for setting new standards in design and fit-out of inspiring workspaces that help motivate employees and embrace well-being. From office design and fit-out services, building appraisals, and workplace consultancy, relocations and refurbishments, Paramount has the expertise and experience in-house to deliver project with ease. Paramount are headquartered in Cardiff (Summers House, Paramount Business Park, Pascal Close, St Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0LW) and in Bristol (Dock House, Welsh Back, Bristol, BS1 4SB). To get in touch email [email protected] or call 0117 472 5615.

Photo Credit: @JonCraig_Photos