ADVERTISING FEATURE
DEFINING A DECADE
SWINDON ’ S WORKSHED CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF IGNITING BUSINESS GROWTH AND COLLABORATION
It ’ s been five years since Swindon Borough Council launched the Workshed in Brunel ’ s old Carriage Works in Swindon as part of an ambitious plan to regenerate the Carriage Works and the town ’ s wider economy .
The Workshed first opened its doors in August 2018 , offering flexible workspace for entrepreneurs , pioneers and creative thinkers to connect and grow . From affordable office space , to co-working and meeting room hire , the venue was designed to cater to growing business ’ s needs .
Over the last five years many businesses have gone from start-up to scale-up phase under the Workshed ’ s roof and some have even flown the nest when they have outgrown the premises and needed more space to enable further growth plans . It ’ s been a successful space for business incubation with many business support organisations regularly working in or hosting networking events out of the Workshed to nurture further growth and meaningful business connections .
Mirabelle Stobbs is Strategic Lead for the Carriage Works development and has been involved with the Workshed since its inception . Reflecting on the last five years , she said “ It ’ s been fantastic to see the Workshed and the businesses within continue to thrive since we first opened the doors in 2018 . In those five years we have weathered the Covid storm , virtually operating as a business as best as we could , before gradually returning to a new normal ( ish ) way of hybrid working .
“ Since coming out of lockdown , we have been reminded how much people enjoy being with people , to spark ideas and remind each other of what really matters and what doesn ’ t . Getting into the office on a weekly , if not daily basis gives everyone the sense of being part of something more connected and real .
“ The Workshed is home to a vibrant business community , bringing together solo-entrepreneurs , co-workers and small companies . Beyond the organised networking opportunities hosted in partnership with numerous support agencies at the Workshed , including FSB , Tech Swindon , Outset Swindon & Wiltshire and the Techies , there is a less formal network of connections made over a cup of coffee in the shared kitchen . It ’ s a space where day-to-day challenges and opportunities are shared and talked through . Sometimes a solution is found , sometimes it ’ s just good to have a listening ear .”
A wide range of businesses are based at the Workshed with offices available for digital , tech and creative businesses and co-working and open desk space available to all , providing a great mix of expertise in one space .
Rob Curtis is Founder of start-up digital marketing business , The Pursuit Agency . He shares an office at the Workshed with creative agency H2 . Rob said , “ We ’ re coming up to our first anniversary since moving in . Between both businesses we usually have somewhere between 4-8 people in the office at one given time . Not only do we share the office rent , but we love to collaborate on projects where we can , being aligned to one another is fantastic .
“ Being part of the Workshed community is brilliant . It ’ s such an inviting community and it ’ s been a pleasure to be able to build friendships with a variety of businesses . Unlike working from home all the time and being stuck behind a zoom screen , it ’ s always great to invite potential and current clients into our office . The conversation always starts with ‘ what an amazing space you have here !”
Dale Peters is Chief Executive Officer of Bright Affect , also based out of the Workshed . Bright Affect are software providers to the pharmaceutical industry and also provide change management and training services to ensure the end-user of the software is confident and competent and gets the very best from their investment . The business started in 2014 and has been based out of the Workshed for the last year . It employs ten people and is actively looking to grow the team as it gets set to launch new products and services to enable growth .
Dale said , “ The Workshed has provided us as a remote workforce somewhere convenient and well-equipped as a central meeting place to support team development . It ’ s a relaxed and warm environment that makes it easy to work and is well-placed geographically for all our team to access .”
The Workshed ’ s full offering includes :
• Flexible co-working and dedicated desk packages
• Meeting room hire
• Event space hire
• Workshop space
• Virtual Mailbox ( to use as a registered trading address )
There is also currently a 4-person office available to rent .
The Workshed has recently employed a new full time Business Support Officer to cater to all clients ’ needs . Tracy White is the main point of contact for day-to-day operations and enquiries . Tracy said , “ I began working at Workshed in February this year and I love it . It ’ s such a brilliant and beautiful collaborative space to work in . If you want to find out more about co-desk working , available office space or event or meeting room hire , drop me a message via info @ theworkshed . co . uk . I ’ d love to hear from you and invite you in for a show round .”
Fancy giving co-working at the Workshed a go ? Try it out with this special offer . 50 % discount for a limited period only which equates to two co-working days for the price of one . Email : info @ theworkshed . co . uk to find out more or book space online at www . theworkshed . co . uk
Workshed ' s Mirabelle Stobbs and Tracy White
The Bright Affect team
Rob Curtis , Founder of The Pursuit Agency with Paul and Ben from H2 The Workshed , Unit 5 , Workshed Carriage Works , London Street , Swindon , SN1 5DG
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2023 33