The future of workspace

 

 

 

After many years of working within the corporate sector in 2008, my world changed and I found myself freed from the shackles of the corporate machine. Don't get me wrong big business has many advantages such as - a car, pension contributions, private health care etc but freedom and flexibility and being a master of your own destiny it isn't. That's what led to me starting my own business many years ago, working out of coffee shops and freelancing for others but on my terms. Coffee shops work but only to a certain extent. There is a need for something more that's accessible, solves the problems but creates a cafe culture and more importantly allows you to mix with others. Over the course of the last six years, I have seen and been a part of the co-working revolution. An increase in those doing it for themselves and freelancers, independent workers all contributing  to  business growth.

 

Brighton as a city has a business startup rate of 67.24 (per 10,000 population in 2014) and it holds the 4th highest rate in the UK for new jobs. (Centre for Cities Economic Report 2015)New businesses within the City start and grow rapidly largely due to access to talent from local universities and it being a leading digital cluster. 

 

What's become apparent over the course of the last five years is that SME and corporate businesses are creating and demanding new ways of working. Work no longer takes place just at desks in a tradi-tional office; work is on the train, in a cafe, at home or from a co-work space.

 

The latter, co-work spaces, have grown across Brighton - The Werks, The Skiff, The Fusebox and Rodhus and the accelerator of Entrepreneurial Spark in the NatWest building on Preston Road 

 

For those that don't know Co work is defined as ‘a style of work in a shared working environment'. Co-working is where a group of individual workers or small businesses come together within a shared space. They are excellent for freelancers and fledgling businesses, but increasing also for larger businesses that are looking to offer flexible working to employees and see the benefits of being exposed to startups and those businesses who are disrupting traditional thinking. These spaces provide everything you need for business at accessible and affordable rates and on flexible terms, and bringing individuals and businesses from all manner of industries together. They build a shared community of people who are like-minded and open to opportunity. Ultimately this translates to infinite business opportunities.

 

In 2010 I co-founded a very well known co-work business in London, Central Working, which runs as a members' club for SME businesses providing the perfect environment which creates community and allows you to "work better". There is a fundamental desire for small businesses to be part of some-thing bigger than just themselves, yet still retain their own independence and identity within a larger community.

 

As someone who has lived minutes from Brighton and Hove for many years, I see the opportunity to bring something similar to our City. Brighton has a clear advantage when it comes to the growing CDIT sector (creative digital and IT), but there is also a multiple of other businesses which help support this sector, from HR to accounting, to legal businesses, all of whom form part of the ecosystem in driving job growth.

 

This is the opportunity to take the best things from the traditional office space and leave the bad things behind. The new work thinking allows for private offices, meeting rooms, collaborative space, shared touchdown space, community engagement, great coffee, fast Wi-Fi, 24/7 access, connection opportunities, and the ability to surround yourself with others who have a shared view of taking opportunity to shape your own future to name but a few. 

 

Talking to local organisations such as Wired Sussex and the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce; it is clear that there is demand and it's only going to increase. But where is the space? 

 

Space is scarce in Brighton and Hove today and as such, co-working is low priority. That is why its refreshing to see plans being put forward by First Base who are transforming the derelict Anston House on Preston Road into a new co-working hub for Brighton and Hove along with the much-needed homes. Their plans include space to accommodate circa 160 desks with the potential to accommodate 250 when you allow for hot desking. In addition, First Base plan to include event space for the use of members, local businesses, schools, universities and a café operated by a local business to encourage collaboration and connection between both members and the wider community. Creating a destination for business and activating the space for residents who live there not only delivers an asset to the community but also job growth to the local economy. 

 

Personally, I think this will be the continuation of a co-working revolution in Brighton; one that will meet the growing demand for entrepreneurs and businesses within Brighton whilst also allowing developers transforming spaces in Brighton a successful model that they can adopt for future schemes, to support the local community and drive business growth.