Interiors specialist business to launch new HQ in Leeds

Bert & May, the boutique bathroom, kitchen and tile specialist, is set to join The Round Foundry estate in Holbeck Urban Village, Leeds.

The company, which already has showrooms in Bethnal Green and Chelsea, has moved into a 960 sq. ft space in the former Engine House foundry building.

Bert & May was founded by Lee Thornley, a former barrister who left London for Spain in 2004.

Lee decided to take on a property in Cadiz; fully renovating the building and turning it into a boutique hotel. This property venture led him to set-up an online business selling reclaimed materials.

In 2010 Lee met Juan Menacho, the owner of a small business hand making Spanish tiles. With investment from Lee, the Menacho family factory reopened and began designing tiles, and Bert & May was born.

The new Leeds office, which is set to house 15 staff members, will act as the company’s head office.

The interiors specialist business made the move to Leeds to expand the business and tap into the interior design market outside of London.

Lee Thornley, managing director, commented: “There’s something really exciting happening in Leeds in terms of creation and design, and it was really important for us to be right at the heart of that in the Round Foundry.

“The Engine House is a stunning building and we’re already seeing the benefits of being so close to companies; we’ve spoken to SpaceInvader Design about working together, and we’re hosting a ‘Booze and Browse’ networking event on 1st March which all our neighbours are invited to. This is a great place to be and we hope to be here for a long time.”

The company operates both in Britain and Spain; its tiles are made in a small, family run factory in Andalusia, with some of the tiles being handcrafted in Stoke-on-Trent.

All brass and wood products and basins are handmade by independent craftsmen in Britain.

The new Leeds studio will also offer a design consultation service where customers can bring along plans, ideas and moodboards and have a full, free consultation with Bert & May’s design team.

The deal was completed by Creative Space Management, acting as joint agent with Knight Frank.