Mantle unveiled as new operator of Bradfield Centre in Cambridge

Experienced office specialist Mantle has taken over operation of Cambridge's flagship deep technology collaborative workspace The Bradfield Centre on behalf of its owner Trinity College Cambridge.

New operators were sought after previous incumbent, Central Working, went into administration.

Mantle has extensive experience of managing flexible working spaces essential to the UK tech scene – including the CB1 Business Centre near Cambridge station, which it has run since 2013.

Its portfolio of business centres also includes The Officers' Mess at Duxford – which it restored and now operates as serviced offices and co-working spaces – and historic Thremhall Park set in 12 acres of parkland near Stansted.

"We are delighted to welcome The Bradfield Centre to our growing portfolio of high-quality, thriving business centres," said Mantle CEO Guy Baker. 

"Each of our centres has its own unique identity – so our priority will be preserving the ethos and values of The Bradfield Centre to ensure it continues to fulfil its role as a vital hub for the region's tech community. It's business as usual for the members who enjoy the world-class facilities and we are keen to build on this flourishing entrepreneurial hub.”

The Bradfield Centre, at the heart of the Cambridge Science Park, opened in 2017. It was part-funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in a collaboration with Trinity College Cambridge.

The flexible working space has proved popular with entrepreneurs, researchers and students – with a vibrant community of innovative, high-growth start-up and scale-up businesses. Since opening, it has supported more than 120 companies working on cutting-edge technology ranging from artificial intelligence, data science and augmented reality to EdTech, FinTech and BioMedTech.

The centre offers a variety of flexible working options – from a single desk to offices or collaborative spaces. It also includes a 100-seat auditorium, an outdoor lakeside pavilion, meeting rooms, breakout areas and fully equipped kitchens, as well as a café that is open to the public. Around 700 tech-related events have already been hosted at the centre, attracting more than 30,000 attendees.