Graftongate has attended the official opening of the headquarters of Fujifilm UK in Bedford.

The commercial developer joined guests from the UK Government, Japanese Embassy in the UK and Bedford Borough Council for the event at Fujifilm House off Cardington Road.

In a nod to Fujifilm’s Japanese heritage, the traditional Kagami Biraki ceremony saw the lid of a sake barrel smashed open to represent good fortune, harmony and new beginnings.

Graftongate has developed the new 30,000 sq ft green-focused office building on a greenfield site owned by the Southill Estate. The site is located adjacent to Fujifilm’s old operational HQ where it has been based for almost 40 years.

The three-storey building provides a combination of office and dedicated workshop space and exhibition areas, with features including exterior decorative screens, inspired by Bedford’s lace making history.

The building is rated BREEAM ‘excellent’ and incorporates low energy usage and green technologies, including solar panels, rainwater collection systems, EV charging, stormwater infiltration and a biodiverse landscaping design.

Colin Beasley of Graftongate said: “We are delighted to have worked with the landowner, Southill Estate, together with Fujifilm and Bedford Borough Council to deliver this outstanding building and sustainable working environment. Fujifilm House is our second development in Bedford following our 48-acre Bedford Logistics Park, where we developed 700,000 sq ft in seven units.’’

Tom Watanabe, managing director at Fujifilm UK Limited said: “In our 46-year history in the UK, Fujifilm has had a home in Bedford for nearly 40 of those years. Today, we bring all our skilled colleagues working across various business fields under one roof where, together, we hold the opportunities of innovation.

“It is from Fujifilm House that we will continue to contribute to our communities in Bedford, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and around the world. I truly believe that the innovators of today, and leaders of tomorrow, are here in Bedford – and I am so excited when I think about what this next chapter at Fujifilm holds for us.”

Charles Whitbread of landowner Southill Estate added: “The Estate is proud to deliver this attractive, environmentally efficient building, which cements Fujifilm’s relationship with the Bedford area.”