Already known for its architectural skills - it looks as if Roberts Limbrick may well also be rather good at designing networking events too.

When it considered staging a gathering to quietly mark what it could claim was 25 years in business, but more importantly 10 years since the merger of the two practices which give it its name, the firm was unsure January was the best time.

But in the oft-used but fitting words inspired by a certain Hollywood film - it was a case of 'if you build it they will come'. A come they did.

"We were really, really pleased. We had something like 220 accept - and then the weather forecast was announced and we thought maybe we should cancel it," said Joe Roberts, a director of the firm.

"I'm glad we didn't. The turnout has been really good and it is great to see so many of our friends and partners in one place."

The final attendance was not far off the original figure - despite the threat of snow - and guests who made it enjoyed a free bar and canapes as conversation flowed.

Faces from the county's commercial property market, construction sector, chartered surveyors, local authorities, land agents, planners, security firms, charities and business generally were all in attendance.

As were enough dignitaries to shake a stick at - including Gloucester MP Richard Graham, city council leader Paul James and Jason Smith of Marketing Gloucester. 

While it was the people everyone had come to see, it was also fitting that many cast admiring glances and made comment about the office space where the event was staged - a skilful, modern re-working of one of the city's listed buildings, the 120-year-old Bruton Way Carriage Works.

No prizes for guessing which firm of architects bought, saved and converted the red-brick city-centre location. The British Council for Offices has recognised it as one of the South West's finest workplaces.

Roberts Limbrick was formed from the merger of Roberts Gardner Ltd and Limbrick Limited, two highly successful practices with a heritage of more than 25 years.