ADVERTISING FEATURE
BUSINESS REVIEW OF THE YEAR
It ' s all going on at The Workshed
2022 has been a fantastic year of growth and development at The Workshed - Swindon Borough Council ’ s business incubator .
The Workshed is the first part of the phased regeneration of Brunel ’ s Grade II listed Carriage Works building situated in the town centre . First launched in summer 2018 as a space for entrepreneurs , pioneers and creative thinkers to connect and grow , it was just starting to make an impact when Covid-19 hit . The last year or so has been about making up for lost time and building on the team ’ s initial work .
Mirabelle Stobbs , Strategic Lead for Carriage Works Development , said , “ The Workshed has seen great growth and development in 2022 as businesses are coming back out to find interesting and inspiring spaces to meet , collaborate and develop new networks and connections . We have now built a community of over 180 businesses regularly using the space for co-working , meetings , events , networking and for office rental . There ’ s a lovely atmosphere enjoyed by regulars and visitors alike .”
The Workshed recently received an extra boost with the launch of The Foundry , a partnership with business support experts Outset , Swindon Borough Council , and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership . Based out of The Workshed , The Foundry offers support to micro and small businesses pairing free ( funded ) business support with highquality desk space ( read more on page 5 ).
Foundry 1 started at the beginning of September with 20 businesses forming the first cohort . Sara Witham Founder of Evil Empire Marketing was one of the 20 who participated in Foundry 1 . She said , “ This three-month programme is fantastic . I ’ ve learnt so much and I ’ ve met so many brilliant people . I ’ m sad to see things come to an end . However , I ’ ve built new business relationships and friendships that will endure , and I will continue to work with my new buddies out of The Workshed .”
Mirablle , added , " We ' ve had a really positive end to the year and can ' t wait to build on our work next year , welcoming new members and tenants . I welcome anyone reading this to get in touch and find out more about our offering ."
To find out more about The Workshed visit : www . theworkshed . co . uk or email : info @ theworkshed . co . uk About the Swindon Carriage Works Swindon Borough Council is leading a total investment of £ 15.6m to breathe new life into Brunel ’ s Carriage Works , part of Heritage Action Zone a five-year partnership-funded programme with Historic England which began in 2016 and includes the refurbishment of :
• Units 3 and 5 completed in 2018 to create The Workshed .
• Unit 11 - which is now occupied by the Royal Agricultural
University ’ s new Cultural Heritage Institute . The institute offers various Master ' s courses , training the next generation of heritage managers and professionals .
• Unit 7 - once complete this space will be occupied by the University of Bath ’ s Innovation Centre for Applied Sustainable Technologies ( iCAST ): a unique collaboration set to deliver agile innovation in green , sustainable technologies .
• Unit 9 - will see the creation of new digital media facility for Swindon community interest company , Create Studios .
• Units 7-11 - creation of new street entrances for businesses in these restored London Street units ( formerly known as the bike sheds ) which have been derelict for decades . The newly refurbished premises will be available from early 2023 . For more information contact Kenningtons commercial agents .
• Refurbished office space - including further units in between the West Shed ( Units 8 , 10 , 12 , and 13 )
Bringing the Carriage Works back into full productive use is a boost to Swindon ’ s town centre economy , attracting people to work and study in the area . This forms part of over £ 100 million of Council-led regeneration over the next three years in the town centre to enhance the public realm , transport links , heritage assets and kickstart further regeneration .
To find out more visit : www . swindon . gov . uk / towncentreregeneration
We ’ re on a mission to banish boring offices .
In 2022 Interaction celebrated turning 30 . A lot has changed since 1992 ; today ’ s office needs to accommodate a variety of ways of working . It needs to foster culture , creativity and communication .
If you ’ re thinking about a new office , or simply want to get more from your existing workspace it ’ s time to get in touch ; simply scan the QR code below .
Immersive Labs , Bristol
It needs to engage and excite the people who use it and facilitate them at their best .
Runway East , The HickmanBuildingLondon
www . interaction . uk . com
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THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2022 25