The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 13: Autumn 2019 | Page 40

SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
WHY COWORKING IS
MORE THAN JUST A DESK
Many new or growing businesses looking
at premises in 2019 will at least consider
the option of a coworking hub.
Tom Lewis, The Guild
By the end of this year, there will be
a projected 25,000 hubs worldwide,
accommodating all kinds of
businesses.
A decade ago, there was less
than a tenth of that number. Most
start-ups and freelancers were found
working from home, from coffee
shops, or even perched on spare
desks within offices. It was then that
Tom Lewis, founder of The Guild in
Bath had his lightbulb moment.
“At that time, I was working for
myself in Bournemouth and renting
an office with four others, all doing
our own thing. Being together we
noticed we were more interested
in the space itself than anything
else. How we worked together,
supported one another, and how we
felt a bigger sense of our business’s
identity whilst working in one room.
The biggest surprise was how much
business we were passing between
one another, far more than the
relentless networking meetings we
were going to.”
When Tom relocated to Bath, he
approached B&NES Council with an
idea to create a grander version, a
place tech and creative freelancers
and small businesses in the city
could call home. The council saw the
vision, funded his plan, and helped
him design, build and launch the
space of his dreams in the centre of
Bath.
The Guild opened in 2013 at
the Guildhall. Since then, it has
grown from a handful of members
to over 200, mostly from the tech
and creative industries, but they
welcome anyone who has a mindset
for wanting to be part of a working
community.
The Guild runs networking events,
social events and many members
end up working together on projects.
Now in its sixth year, The Guild
recently announced a number of
start-up packages to help more
WHAT DEFINES A SUCCESSFUL SME?
The role of location in the
establishment and growth of
small business.
With the list of Bath’s Top 100 Businesses
being included in this issue of The Business
Exchange, it made me consider what defines
a successful SME? With the growth in
numbers of self-employed being recorded
as having almost doubled since the 80s, it
appears that despite negative views of that
figure by some, as being affected by our
new gig-economy, there is also evidence
that almost 75% of the self-employed are
business owners.
I recently read an interesting review
published by the Productivity Insights
Network: Small Business Growth and
Productivity (Professor Andrew Henley,
Cardiff University).
The piece considers the relative forces
40
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019
that surround SME Growth and Productivity
by reviewing and analysing the various
research findings that have been published
over the last decade. What struck me was
that so much of what he discusses can be
clearly seen among the businesses in Bath
and North East Somerset.
Firstly, defining the difference between
productivity, efficiency, profitability and
growth is not an easy thing to do. In the
world of SMEs there is also the business
owner’s own definitions of these ‘business
bullet-points’ that you have to take into
account. The drivers for growth and
productivity can differ significantly between
a small and a large business, the larger
business is by definition more driven to
maintain their capacity for growth and
productivity to survive by more financial
means, than that of a local SME.
One of the discussion points in Prof
people join its community. “Since
we opened in 2013, the coworking
landscape has changed and
businesses have far more options,
but for start-ups it can seem
prohibitively expensive. We know
that once new members join us they
realise the enormous benefits over
and above the workspace. That’s why
we’ve created these packages for
them to discover why coworking is
more than just a desk.”
To find out more about The Guild’s
new start-up packages visit:
www.theguildhub.co.uk
By Anji Henderson, Chari, Small Business Focus
Henley’s review was that locational factors
can play a huge part in the establishment
and growth of SMEs. Networking as part
of that locational influence is a key factor,
providing access to skills and support that
are essential for SMEs. It also provides the
essential resources for growth of SMEs
such as availability of practical business
premises, access to transport links, and
skilled potential employees. There is also
the positive effect that can be seen when
entrepreneurial spirit is, as it is in Bath, part
of the lifeblood and soul of the locale.
Bath is one of the best places I have
known for supporting and encouraging
SMEs and if I were to compile a list of Top
100 SMEs, it would be a much more difficult
task!
At Small Business Focus we provide
support and training to small businesses
and start-ups. Keeping independent
businesses strong. As a group we host
regular networking events. To find out more
visit our website and follow us on Twitter.
For more info:
www.smallbusinessfocus.co.uk
@sbfbath