SPACE FOR TODAY AT
TELEPHONE HOUSE
ABOUT SPACE4TODAY
A building with a history. A community with a future.
Telephone House has been connecting people in Bournemouth since the telephone arrived here in 1886. Today it is home to a community of independent businesses who support one another, celebrate successes together and enjoy coming to work each day.
1886
BOURNEMOUTH'S FIRST EXCHANGE
2 – 50+
PEOPLE PER OFFICE
2 minutes
TO BOURNEMOUTH STATION
24/7
SECURE BUILDING ACCESS
WHO WE ARE
We're not a faceless corporate office
We're a community of independent businesses who support one another, celebrate successes together and enjoy coming to work each day — in a calm, professional environment where people genuinely enjoy working.
Beautiful serviced offices, flexible licence agreements and friendly on-site support, in one of Bournemouth's best-known buildings.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
When you join
Space4Today you'll enjoy
Beautiful serviced offices
Utilities and cleaning included
Secure access
Networking opportunities
Flexible licence agreements
Meeting spaces
Reception area
A welcoming business community
Superfast fibre broadband
Kitchen facilities
Friendly on-site support
A calm, professional environment
COMMUNITY
More than just office space
Starting or growing a business can sometimes feel lonely. That's why we've designed Space4Today to encourage conversations, collaborations and friendships.
Whether it's chatting over a coffee in the kitchen, meeting another business owner in reception or joining one of our regular community events, there are plenty of opportunities to connect — because we believe businesses grow stronger together.
A COMMUNITY THAT CARES
A building where people know each other's names
A place where people celebrate new contracts, support one another through challenges and happily recommend each other's businesses. Throughout the year we organise relaxed events — small moments that help create a genuine sense of community.
Coffee mornings
Networking breakfasts
Wellbeing sessions
Seasonal celebrations
Guest speakers
Pop-up cafés
Local business showcases
SPACES DESIGNED AROUND YOU
Flexible spaces that adapt as you grow
Whether you need a private office, a meeting room, therapy space or somewhere to hold a workshop, we offer spaces that flex with your business. No unnecessary extras. No complicated contracts. Just great spaces with friendly people.
Flexible space
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Personal private offices
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Communal offices
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One to twenty people
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From one hour to as long as you want
Modern amenities
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High-speed broadband
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Fully furnished
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Fully serviced offices
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Kitchen with tea and coffee
Prime location
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Central Bournemouth
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On-site parking to book
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Close to the transport hub
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Restaurants and shops close by
Full support
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24/7 secure access
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Work early or late
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No long-term commitment
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Presentation rooms for any group size
SINCE 1886
The history of Telephone House
Telephone House at 18 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 3NE has a fascinating history and has been one of Bournemouth's best-known office buildings for many decades.
Purpose-built as the headquarters for the local telephone network operated by the General Post Office — later British Telecom — it was the administrative centre for telecommunications across Bournemouth and the surrounding area, overseeing the rapidly expanding telephone system through the 20th century. Its prominent position on Christchurch Road made it one of the most recognisable buildings in the Lansdowne business district.
THE LINE THROUGH TIME
From manual switchboard to modern workspace
1886
Bournemouth's first exchange opens
On the afternoon of Friday 19 March, the Western Counties Company opened the town's first telephone exchange on the corner of Albert Road and Adelaide Terrace.
1892
The National Telephone Company takes over
The fast-growing National Telephone Company absorbed the Western Counties Company.
1910
Bournemouth becomes a district centre
The town was the centre of the Hants & Dorset district, covering 80 square miles.
1912
The Post Office nationalises the network
On 1 January the Post Office took over the assets of the National Telephone Company, and a national telephone system under a government department was established — eventually becoming British Telecom. That same year a new manual exchange opened in Post Office Road, nearer the town centre, with an initial capacity of 2,700 lines.
1937
The network expands again
Further exchange equipment was added to keep pace with demand.
20th century
Telephone House serves as GPO and BT headquarters
Purpose-built as the administrative headquarters for the area's telephone network, housing engineering, customer service and planning teams.
Mid-1990's
BT leaves the building
Advances in technology and organisational change meant the building was no longer required. It became surplus to requirements and BT vacated the premises.
Late 1990s
JP Morgan moves in
Following refurbishment, parts of the building were occupied by JP Morgan, which has a major presence in Bournemouth. The building was kept in excellent condition, including sympathetic improvements such as an accessible entrance ramp.
Today
Space4Today at Telephone House
A flexible office hub continuing the building's long tradition as a workplace — now serving a wide range of businesses rather than a single telecommunications company.
THE TELEPHONE ERA
Before mobile phones and the internet
In its heyday, Telephone House would have housed:
Telephone engineers and line maintenance teams
Customer service and account departments
Telephone exchange administration
Planning and engineering staff expanding the network
The exchange equipment itself sat nearby — Telephone House mainly functioned as the administrative headquarters for the whole area.
“Telephone House — Connecting People Since the 20th Century.”
18 CHRISTCHURCH ROAD · BOURNEMOUTH · BH1 3NE