High-end watch designer Abbott Lyon has relocated its head office to Bath from Cirencester as it focuses on international expansion.
The firm, launched in 2015 by entrepreneur Jezz Skelton, has signed a five-year deal with Bath property firm HPH on 1,350 sq ft of office space over two floors in a Georgian property on Gay Street.
Abbott Lyon is best known online and through social media and prides itself on creating premium-yet-affordable timepieces with complementary jewellery.
Jezz decided to move the business, which employs 17 people, from his home town of Cirencester to Bath after a successful trial in a retail unit in the city last Christmas.
He said: “Cirencester is a great town. However, we struggled to find the right kind of people to work for us. We’re a young, fast-paced company. A lot of our team started to come from Bath, so we decided to make the move.”
Before launching Abbott Lyon, Jezz – who has a background in marketing and customer services – founded Mango Bikes in Cirencester with former university housemate Ben Harrison, a keen mountain bike racer and ex-mountain bike World Cup circuit mechanic.
The firm won the BBC’s Be Your Own Boss competition before Jezz left after three years to launch Abbott Lyon, at which is he managing director.
He said: “I’ve always been interested in fashion and business. At the time there was no one offering anything like Abbott Lyon in the UK, so I decided to go for it. The industry we’re in is super-fast moving and offers so much potential to scale and grow.
“Abbott Lyon gives the impression of a luxury designer brand, even when you pick up and feel our watches or jewellery the quality is immediately obvious. However, our price-point is accessible.”
The company is now focused on international expansion and wholesale. It launched in Germany just before Christmas and is due to enter the US market by April.
HPH managing director Lindsay Holdoway added: “Bath has always been associated with fashion and luxury and we are thrilled to welcome such an exciting and innovative business to our offices on Gay Street. We look forward to supporting Abbott Lyon as they continue to grow.
“Gay Street is the perfect central location for a fledgling firm looking to make its mark within the Bath business community and beyond. We carried out an ambitious refurbishment of the Grade I building just two years ago making it sustainable and efficient office space, which will benefit Abbott Lyon.”
Pictured: Abbott Lyon founder Jezz Skelton with staff members Jessica Valentine Peters and Philippa May
