Member Article

Executive co-working hub opening in Manchester

A new executive-style co-working office space is set to open in Manchester this October.

Workplace is the brain-child of a trio of entrepreneurs - Louise Pollard, Adrian Stevenson and Jane Schofield - who have pooled their experience to create new first-class business facilities in the heart of the city centre.

Members will be able to choose from private self-contained offices, private desks in open spaces, hot-desks or a business lounge. They will also have access to conference and training rooms, reception and other business services with a business lounge available from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The business model avoids long-term contracts - members will sign up on a month-by-month basis - and profits will be reinvested to fund the growth of Workplace, with future plans to open more offices in other UK cities.

Louise Pollard, Sales Director at Workplace, said: “Adrian, Jane and I have worked together for a number of years on a wide range of projects and we are really excited about this venture.

“Our expertise is in the customer experience and we understand that the office world is changing – co-working is on the rise and we want to grasp that concept and build a community.

“The beauty of Workplace is that our members will be free from the responsibilities of office management thus allowing them to focus on what they love to do.

This is a place for all businesses looking to break routine and want exclusivity without isolation. We are creating a Workplace that has the feel of an inclusive members club, somewhere you want to be and know that it will enhance your productivity and business success“.

Workplace has signed a lease on approximately 8,300 sq ft of office space in Churchgate House, Oxford Street, which has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment.

The grade II listed building was previously the home of the famous Tootal Tie Company and current tenants include Economic Solutions, London School of Business and Finance, Jisc and Co-operative Travel.

Property agent, CBRE, acted on behalf of Helical Bar, owners of Churchgate House in securing the lease.

Neil Mort, Director of office agency at CBRE Manchester, said: “Churchgate has attracted a number of new occupiers in recent months, all adding to the vibrancy of the building and Workplace will be a very welcome addition to the tenant mix.”

Louise Pollard added: “Workplace is the fuss-free alternative and gives people the chance to work in an executive environment, either independently or in small teams. It is also provides great networking opportunities, offering the possibility of collaborating with like-minded businesses.

“We are aiming to create an inspiring place to work where members will have the flexibility to increase their numbers or use us as a springboard to grow their business.”

Workplace members will also benefit from a programme of seminars delivered by specialists in all areas of business development, from payroll to professional development, motivating the workforce to managing healthcare schemes, finance to filing patents.

Three Manchester companies have already signed contracts in the run-up to opening this autumn.

Interior designers, Space Invader, is collaborating with Workplace’s Operations Director, Adrian Stevenson, on the look of the space, while commercial contractors, Dragonfly, is bringing expertise in the area of fixtures, fittings and equipment. Leading digital agency, Cube 3, will handle the web design and digital marketing side of the business.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .