The Hive, North Somerset’s landmark new workspace and business development centre which is due to open in May, has announced details of the “Hive Express Business Lounge”. Based in the Weston Business Quarter on the old Weston airfield site, the business lounge will enable people who need a hot desk facility in a smart professional business environment to buy space by the hour or by the day.
Hive Express will be a ‘work hub’ both for its tenants and for businesses and employees from North Somerset and surrounding area. It will include free unlimited WiFi, space for quick informal business meetings, lockers, access to daily broadsheet newspapers and monthly business magazines and even shower facilities as part of its offer. All this comes at a small charge of just £3 per hour or £20 per day (9.00am-5.00pm). The Hive’s tenants will be able to use Hive Express free of charge.
Refreshments, printing and photocopying facilities will be available at additional cost, delivering an attractive option not only for local businesspeople who need professional space on occasion but also for employees of businesses who may require office facilities in North Somerset on an ad-hoc basis.
The Hive has also revealed its sustainable transport options to make travel to, from and around the Hive as environmentally-friendly as possible. In addition to offering easy access by car (being 5 minutes from Junction 21 of the M5) and being just 30 minutes from Bristol International Airport with several nearby train stations and bus routes, The Hive has secured funding from the sustainable transport team at North Somerset Council for a variety of ‘pool’ cycles, including one electrically-powered cycle, that will be available for all tenants to book.
In addition The Hive will provide storage and shelters, drying lockers for wet motorbike or cycle gear, shower facilities and even puncture-repair kits and cycle accessories. A double point electric vehicle charger will also be available on site and The Hive will be working closely with TravelWest to support tenants in achieving their travel aims, whether in reducing business travel or finding alternative ways to get their workforce to work.
The announcements come as the landmark building’s scaffolding is removed and its distinctive exterior with external spiral staircases is revealed. Photovoltaic cells and solar panels are now also in place on the roof, part of many energy saving measures to make the building energy-efficient and sustainable.
The Hive, which is based on the former Weston Airfield site in the Junction 21 Enterprise Area of Weston-super-Mare, will exist to support the launch, development and success of local businesses by delivering an array of on-site business support, resources and services alongside 20,000 sq. ft of rentable managed office space and communal facilities. On offer are unfurnished offices with dedicated and secure broadband and a managed business reception plus virtual office services and meeting rooms which will be available to non-tenants also.
The building is set to be handed over to North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA), the locally-based not-for-profit organisation who will plough any money raised from The Hive back into supporting North Somerset businesses, in mid-April – when the Enterprise Agency’s team will move into the building – with first tenants following in May.
“We have been working towards the delivery of this modern and eco-friendly managed workspace for many years, so finally seeing the building standing in all its glory and being able to gradually unveil the unique package of facilities and services that we will soon be offering to local businesses is an exciting milestone.” says Angela Hicks, CEO of North Somerset Enterprise Agency.
“Our aim is to give businesses based with us every opportunity for growth and to do so within a building of which we can all be proud. With handover now just weeks away, we are enjoying putting final plans in place to make The Hive a highly desirable space to do business, enjoy business advice, training and networking opportunities, and to meet and share experiences and contact with other start-up and growing businesses, both for our tenants and for all businesses in the local area.
“We already have a number of events booked to take place in The Hive and the countdown to opening will begin as soon as we receive handover. We are moving towards an exciting new era for businesses looking to start and grow in North Somerset and The Hive is set to be the place where all the support and facilities that a business needs are available under one roof. We are very excited about its potential impact.”
