THE couple behind a hugely successful UK gifting company are opening the doors of their Derby home for business meetings, birthday parties and corporate events.
The Smile Factory – the home of award-winning Colleague Box – is now available to hire and customers will be able to take advantage of the fully-stocked bar, wide range of snacks and hospitality of husband-and-wife Adam and Natalie Bamford.
Taking centre stage in The Smile Factory’s 4,500 square-foot warehouse is Colleague Box’s latest venture; a cosy teepee tent hideaway that can seat up to 15 guests.
Colleague Box have hosted events at their city centre headquarters in the past, most notably when former Derby County and Denmark international Jacob Laursen spoke about his career to an audience of Rams fans.
It is hoped that similar events will be held at The Smile Factory in the future.
Natalie Bamford, founder of Colleague Box, says that their latest venture is a natural extension of what the award-winning business can offer.
She said: “We have exciting plans to open up our space not only for corporate events and parties, but for community groups, too.
“The Smile Factory is a huge space and boasts a fully-stocked bar, special offers on food and drink and our show-stopper; a six-metre bell tent that can also be hired out for private hire at the weekend, along with our mobile bar.
“The aim is to create a space where colleagues, friends and family can gather to connect, chat, drink, laugh, eat and shop in a quirky and relaxed setting.
“We feel that our latest venture is a natural extension of Colleague Box’s mission to bring smiles to people’s faces.”
Set up by the entrepreneurial couple during the pandemic, Colleague Box has been a huge local success story and has seen Natalie and Adam create bespoke gift boxes for a wide range of local and national organisations such as Ward Recycling, delivery company dpd and the University of Lincoln.
Colleague Box ship thousands of gift boxes a month and they already have several orders placed ahead of the busy Christmas period.
Natalie said: “Christmas is always a fun and hectic time for us and I’m proud of the wide range of choices that we are offering this year, from boxes that are ready to go – with no minimum amount – to bespoke and build your own gift boxes, with added sparkle.
“Personalised gifting has become a big deal since the pandemic and it shows that you’ve put some effort and thought in, whether it’s Christmas, an employee milestone or celebration. A curated box of goodies and gifts, company branded with a personalised message, is far more likely to be remembered.”
The Smile Factory, based at Northedge Business Park on Alfreton Road will be open Monday – Wednesday 11am-7pm and Thursday and Friday 11am – 9pm making it ideal for after work gatherings.
To find out more about Colleague Box, and to hire out The Smile Factory, visit www.colleaguebox.co.uk
