Ancora Law looks to the future in new home steeped in the past

Ancora has become the newest occupier of Minster House in Beverley, which has been comprehensively refurbished by leading commercial property developer Wykeland Group.

The move is the latest milestone in Ancora’s successful journey with Wykeland and means Minster House is now fully occupied for the first time.

Minster House was built in 1816 as a warehouse used for the former Hodgson Tannery, which remained one of Beverley’s largest employers until its closure in 1978. The building was used as offices in the following years, but was vacant for more than a year before Wykeland began a restoration and reconfiguration scheme in 2019.

Wykeland invested more than £550,000 in bringing Minster House back to life, equipping it with a new entrance lobby, atrium and glass lift, making the building fully accessible for the first time, as well as adding new toilets and showers, and secure cycle storage.

The refurbished Minster House now offers over 9,000 sq ft of offices over three floors and forms part of Wykeland’s thriving Flemingate centre, which combines retail, leisure and commercial space.

Having started almost five years ago as a one-man firm, Ancora Law has grown to a six-strong team and has now taken the bold move to go from a 700 sq ft office to a 3,000 sq ft suite in the revamped 19th century building, in the shadow of Beverley Minster. 

Providing services to the Yorkshire region and beyond, Ancora Law was set up with a mission to provide premium legal advice and customer service, powered by the use of modern technologies. 

Ancora Law started out in a Wykeland-managed co-working space and has moved through three Wykeland offices, each slightly bigger to accommodate the company’s growth. 

The company’s small and agile team allows the business to increase efficiencies, reduce case timelines and offer greater convenience for clients, while driving down legal fees.

Ancora Law’s new office space in Minster House is an open plan area, with a large meeting room. The space is adorned with large sash windows and high ceilings – a nod to its industrial past.

The other occupiers of Minster House include East Riding College, which runs tutoring and adult education courses from the building, and international supplier of raw materials and ingredients, BHJ Foods. There is also a dedicated co-working space, The Hive.

Matt Hudson, Founder and Managing Director of Ancora Law, said: “We have grown year on year since our inception at the beginning of 2020 and, until now, our office moves have always been fairly reactionary – with each new hire, we have moved to a slightly bigger unit. 

“We felt that now was the time to recognise our growth and invest in an office space that is fit for the future.”

Starting Ancora Law just before the global pandemic, Mr Hudson says the business was very much influenced by the challenges of the time. 

“All of our practices had to be built with remote working in mind, so we could function seamlessly in those early months,” he said. “As a result, everything we do is in the cloud, something not all typical of many solicitors. We’re not quite paperless, but we’re certainly paper-less.”

Mr Hudson says Ancora Law’s new office is a key investment, providing a space where the team collaborate, learn and inspire one another in a location accessible and convenient for clients.

He added: “I want to provide a space where our clients feel they can approach us and we can connect with them in person. I also want to encourage our staff to be approachable too. 

“Providing a high-quality office space for our staff, where they can develop and grow and meet clients, is something that’s really important to us. 

“The benefits of being at Minster House stretch beyond this. It’s great to be in such a convenient area, giving our staff, clients and other visitors the benefits of the shops, cafés and restaurants around us. It is also really useful to have excellent transport links, including Beverley Rail Station just a short walk away.”

John Gouldthorp, Asset Manager of Hull-based Wykeland, said: “It’s been great to support Matt as his business has grown. 

“We have worked closely with Matt and his team over the years, ensuring their office spaces help to foster growth and attract and retain talented people. 

“Restoring and renovating old buildings, unlocking their potential, and turning them into attractive spaces that are fit for purpose for growing businesses like Ancora Law, is a key part of what we do at Wykeland. 

“Minster House is an excellent example of this and we’re delighted that Ancora Law see it as the perfect fit for their business now and into the future.”

Mr Hudson says the support Wykeland has offered has been an important factor in Ancora Law’s growth.

“Whenever we have needed a larger office space, Wykeland have been attentive and helped us find exactly what we need,” he said.

“Wykeland has a track record of providing attractive spaces for businesses like ours. We’re delighted to have our new home at Minster House and to be based in Beverley, and we look forward to many successful years here.”

• For enquiries about Wykeland’s business spaces, contact John Gouldthorp at jcg@wykeland.co.uk or call 01482 320968.
• For more information on Wykeland’s developments and business spaces, go to www.wykeland.co.uk