The next generation of coworking office space will open in Manchester this October.
Workplace is the brain child of a trio of entrepreneurs, Louise Pollard, Adrian Stevenson and Jane Schofield, who have taken their wealth of experience in the business, property and hospitality sectors to create an executive environment, offering a new culture of first-class business facilities in the heart of the city centre.
Members will sign up on a month-by-month basis and the business model has been created to ensure there are no long-term contracts 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. We are taking our years of experience in business and hospitality to create a place to work and learn and a place people can call their own. Our expertise is in the customer experience and we understand that the office world is changing – coworking 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 who are 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.
“We see Workplace as the vision of future work life and a place that works for you.”
Key to the company’s strategy was to find a prominent location within Manchester that would offer exceptional surroundings for its members.
Workplace has signed a lease on approximately 8,300 sq ft of office space in the historic Churchgate House, on Oxford Street, which has recently undergone a comprehensive remodeling and refurbishment programme to create some of the city’s most impressive office space.
The grade II listed building was previously the home of the famous Tootal Tie Company, which was founded in 1799, 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, commented; “Workplace’s decision to establish its exciting new venture at Churchgate is testament to the success of Helical Bar’s investment into this flagship building. 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.”
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.
Louise 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.
Contracts have already been placed with a hat-trick of Manchester companies 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.
