Bonnier Books UK reveals Bloomsbury Square move

Bonnier Books UK has revealed it is relocating its trade business to the Grade II-listed Victoria House in Bloomsbury Square, central London.

Staff will begin working at the new building when they start returning to the office in July, with the option of working remotely three days a week—a further move towards flexible working the company first announced last year.

Bonnier's trade business was previously based at two London offices, on the Kings Road in Chelsea and Wimpole Street in Marylebone. The relocation to Victoria House will bring Bonnier Books UK’s 155 London-based trade employees together under one roof for the first time in the company’s history. Mass-market business Igloo Books, which has 132 employees, will continue to be based at its office in Sywell, Northampton.

The firm will occupy a dedicated workspace on the fourth floor, with access to multi-use meeting rooms and communal areas across the building’s 150,000 sq ft of space, including a café and roof terrace for informal meetings. Bonnier's dedicted office space will have around 130 workspaces which, it says, coupled with its flexible working policy, will give it ample space on any given day.

Perminder Mann, c.e.o. of Bonnier Books UK, said: “I’m thrilled to announce that we will be relocating our trade teams together under one roof in the cultural heart of London. A beautiful Grade II-listed building that’s been renovated into a modern, flexible workspace, Victoria House blends the best of old and new and is a fitting new home for our trade publishing.

“We’ve long aspired to bring the teams together in this way, strengthening our culture and encouraging greater collaboration and learning in a way that will support our next phase of growth. Once the restrictions around the pandemic ease, I look forward to welcoming our authors, illustrators and wider agent community through our doors.”

The Victoria House building is operated by co-working firm LABS and has been recently renovated into a contemporary workspace, with facilities including a large capacity event venue, wellness suite—including a gym, showers, relaxation lounge and library—eight passenger lifts and secure bike storage. It also has a dedicated meditation and prayer space.

All staff will have access to fitness classes, LABS gyms and educational seminars, workshops and talks focused on personal professional growth. Employees will have access to other workspaces and facilities operated by LABS, including four alternative spaces in Holborn and two in Camden.

The renovation of the building happened during the pandemic and so "touchpoints" throughout the building have been minimised, Bonnier said.

Jonathan Perdoni, chief finance officer and chief operating officer, added: “Our new workspace at Victoria House is the ideal home for our trade business as we begin to plan for the next stage of our growth. Based on the government’s roadmap for easing restrictions, we hope to gradually start returning to the office from the beginning of July. However, the health and wellbeing of our people remains our top priority, and so we will be reviewing the government’s advice carefully, while consulting our teams.”

As part of the unveiling of the new office to staff, the company also announced a “rest and recuperate day” on 30th April to thank them for their work during the pandemic.