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Newcastle tech firm Orchard looks to blossom following £600k new office transformation

Tech firm Orchard has finalised its Newcastle city centre expansion after a £600k fit-out, undertaken by fellow Newcastle-based business Aptus Shopfitting, has reached completion.

Aptus, which specialises in fit-outs and refurbishments of commercial properties, has transformed Orchard’s new offices at Central Square, as part of the firm’s £1m investment in its new home.

Orchard, which employs around 200 people and, in 2015, had annual sales of £16m, was previously based at Kings Manor on the outskirts of the city centre.

Aptus refurbished the entire third floor of Central Square for Orchard, turning what was a tired office which had been empty for several years, into an ultra-modern technology hub.

Stand-out features of the new office include over 1,500 sq m of open plan, break out areas, meeting rooms, an innovation suite, café and boulevard reception with eight life size trees through the office.

Aptus won the contract on the back of its work with Bede Gaming last year when the software firm moved its operations and 175+ staff from Gosforth to Newcastle Great Park.

Chris Price, commercial director and co-founder, said: “There appears to be an increasing number of organisations within the tech sector confidently investing in the North East.

“Office fit-out projects in this sector has generated over £1m in sales for Aptus in eighteen months including an exciting new start up by eCommerce developer Moltin which appointed Aptus to deliver a design and build office at Carliol Square, Newcastle.”

Ian Shard, Orchard Systems MD, added: “We were very impressed with Aptus from the outset. It has helped us to create a first class working environment for the Orchard Team that has already improved productivity and communication throughout our business.”