Escape to the city for martial arts academy

Relocating to St Giles Hall on Pound Hill is set to give a Cambridge-based martial arts academy a base to expand its plans for a training community hub, according to Eddisons - who was the sole agent under instruction on behalf of the landlord in securing the new tenancy.

Run by business partners & qualified instructors, Tom Barlow and Chelsea Leah, Escapology BJJ is moving from premises in the village outskirts of Cambridge to re-fit and transform the 3,874 sq ft of indoor, office accommodation at St Giles Hall in seeking to introduce Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training to a wider audience.

Escapology BJJ has been based at industrial unit premises in the South Cambridgeshire village of Dry Drayton since 2017. With the lease on those premises expiring, and having grown its membership during that time, the business was looking for a new base that would not only improve accessibility by all forms of transport for its current client base, but also fulfill the partners’ ambition to create more of a welcoming ‘hang out’ space for its existing - and new - training community.

Admitting to having outgrown its village premises in many ways, Escapology BJJ’s CEO, Tom Barlow explains how the new St Giles Hall premises fulfills the academy’s plans for growth - starting with accessibility.

“We needed a city centre location so that our clients could travel safely to us by public transport, car or by bike or on foot. St Giles Hall is right in the historic city centre.

“While it has its own parking on site, there is parking on Pound Hill and the surrounding streets. Plus, the Madingley Road park & ride site is not too far - and we will be extending the on-site cycle racks,” he said.

He continued, “St Giles Hall gives us so much scope with its annexe and outside space, in addition to the core building. Our plans include a basement café for our members.

“The move to the city centre comes at the right time for the business in looking to introduce our training offering to a wider membership and create a buzz around Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, inclusive, welcoming space.”

Announcing the letting of St Giles Hall to Escapology BJJ, Eddisons’ Ben Green said, “Tom and Chelsea have a clear vision for both their business and their martial arts specialism.

“Their enthusiasm is infectious and, with the Eddisons office also being on Pound Hill, it’s not unfeasible that some of us might catch the particular training vibe they are looking to create in their new city centre base when they open later this autumn.”