Thompson Smith and Puxon Invests £170,000 in Historic Clacton Office
Thompson Smith and Puxon has invested around £170,000 in refurbishing its historic Station Road office in Clacton-on-Sea, restoring original features while modernising its heating, lighting and working spaces for clients and colleagues.
The project has breathed new life into the Edwardian building, preserving its character and heritage while ensuring it can continue serving the local community for years to come.
Decades of deterioration presented significant challenges. Before the refurbishment, water ingress from the roof had affected multiple floors and flooded the basement, while an underground stream beneath the site added to the challenge of managing moisture.
Uncovering the building’s past
As work progressed, the refurbishment also revealed hidden reminders of the building's past. The removal of 1960s hardboard coverings uncovered striking original joinery dating back to the early 1900s, features which have now been carefully restored and showcased throughout the building.
One of the project's most rewarding discoveries came when contractors uncovered a section of original skirting board finished in a paint colour believed to be almost 90 years old. The shade was matched and reused on the refurbished staircase, helping to restore the building's historic character.
Other original architectural details uncovered during the works have also been retained, such as original fireplaces, sash windows and ironmongery, ensuring the building's heritage remains visible.
Modernising the office for the future
Alongside the restoration work, the office has been modernised. The former gas heating system has been replaced with an electric heat pump, and energy-efficient LED lighting has been installed. Electrical and IT infrastructure have also been upgraded, while updated reception and working areas create a welcoming environment for clients and a practical workspace for colleagues.
Contemporary furniture and new roller blinds have also improved comfort in the building's south-east-facing rooms.
The move away from gas heating and the use of LED lighting are significant steps towards reducing the environmental impact of the office. Improved digital systems and reduced storage areas also support paper-lite working and make more effective use of the available space.
The challenge was not just to renovate the building, but to respect its history while preparing it for the future.
Sean Stuttaford, TSP's Chief Executive Officer, says: “As I said to John Hyde when he visited for his recent Law Society Gazette article, ‘Riding the tide’, this was not nostalgia; it was a vote of confidence in Clacton. We wanted to preserve the character of a historic building, but also make meaningful changes to the way it operates. Replacing gas heating with a heat pump and installing LED lighting are important parts of that. Just as importantly, we want clients who prefer to meet face to face to retain that choice, and our Clacton colleagues to have the same career opportunities as those in Colchester. This investment is about the people and the town as much as the building itself.”