Co-working spaces are a growing part of the working scene in Manchester with entrepreneurs finding themselves with more and more choice.
Data from Avison Young shows that flexible workspaces now dominate Manchester’s city core market so it’s just a case of choosing the right one.
We’ve got five cool co-working to get you started.
Beehive Lofts
Location: Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 6JG
Founded in 2014, Beehive Lofts is for people working in the digital and creative fields. Brands itself as a luxury co-working space – perhaps one for small businesses who are a little further along.
Features: As its name suggests, it’s a collection of lofts which are well lit and have extra large desks. It’s more of a place for getting stuff done. Height adjustable extra-large desk with optional monitor, desk lamp, plant and custom desk kit. Where some co-working spaces lack in terms of back support, the swivel chairs at Beehive Lofts are tall, mesh-backed and fully adjustable.
As a member you have full access to a business class A4 printer, copier and scanner plus phone booths.
Price: You’ve got three simple price points here.
One month: £320
Three months: £295 a month
Six months: £275 a month
The Sharp Project
Location: Thorp Road, Manchester, M40 5BJ
The Sharp Project is a 200,000 square foot space for digital entrepreneurs and production companies specialising in digital content production, digital media and TV and film production. It’s occupied by electronics company, Sharp.
Features: The vast warehouse houses two collections of offices and 32 shipping containers. Over 60 companies are based there already.
A substantial 50,000 square foot of this building is available for TV and film production. Work in one of four production stages and four green screen studios. You’ve got round-the-clock access if you’re working into the night as well as easy load-in points for hefty goods and equipment.
Backstage facilities include make-up rooms, a wardrobe area, dressing rooms and a prop store. Stave off hunger with catering available in certain studios on request.
As for your more traditional office spaces, you’ve got blue and gold level offices. The gold level has internal courtyard in centre for £19.50 per square foot per annum inclusive of service charge and business rates.
As with co-working spaces, The Sharp Project runs regular events and workshops for its customers.
Price: Single containers are 160 sq ft (8ft x 20ft) and priced at £65 + VAT per week; the double units are 320 sq ft (16ft x 20ft). Both include one parking space per user.
Blue offices (290 sq ft to 4,600 sq ft) are £18.50 per sq ft per annum.
Gold offices (500 sq ft to 1,300 sq ft) are £19.50 per sq ft per annum.
Huckletree
Location: Express Building, Manchester, M4 5DL
Part of a chain of co-working spaces around England, the Huckletree is the latest offering. They have four locations in London, one in Dublin and one in Oslo.
Features: Manchester’s version of Huckletree hosts a podcast studio, Imaginarium meeting room and provides bottomless tea, coffee and water. On the social and wellness side, you’ve got a weekly wellbeing programme music in the live lounge and social events.
Price: Unlimited: £195 a month + VAT. Full access to hotdesking zone and breakout spaces.
Resident: £300 a month + VAT. You get your own dedicated desk in open plan workspace with 24/7 access and meeting room credits.
Studio: £360 a month + VAT. Round-the-clock access to a studio, meeting room credits and a registered mailing address.
Meeting rooms start at £10-£40 an hour + VAT.
Accelerate Places
Location: 101 Princes Street, Manchester, M1 6DD
Created by digital venture builder, Blenheim Chalcot. It’s good for ideal for tech start-ups and scale-ups as well creative and digital services.
Features: To help you with the day-to-day running of your tech business, Accelerate Places gives you unlimited printing and free use of event room or meeting spaces. Pop in and out as you please with 24-hour access.
It has on-site design services providing you with homely bespoke branding and help to solve your team’s productivity puzzle. Bolstered by a programme of tailored workshops, meet-ups and talks.
And if you have guests coming in, they have a full-service café which is also available for business catering.
Get familiar with the area with a range of discounts like money off gym membership at The Gym, £5 bowling and 20pc off food and drinks at All Star Lanes and 2-4-1 cocktails at The Alchemist.
Price: Accelerate Places has two key packages.
Private office: from £325 + VAT. For teams of ten or more people.
Flexi-space: £295 + VAT. Terms start from three months – buy a desk, bank or partition your own part of the co-working space which is suited for teams of up to 20 people. You get individual desks, chairs, secure lockers and full use of the business facilities.
Colony
Locations: The Astley: 70 Great Ancoats Street, M4 5BG (pictured)
Jactin House: 24 Hood Street, Ancoats Urban Village, M4 6WX
Piccadilly: 5 Piccadilly Place, Aytoun Street, M1 3BR
Each of Colony’s workspaces has a different character. The Astley is well-lit with floor to ceiling windows, placed in the city’s cultural Northern Quarter.
Features: Free tea, coffee and snacks, access to meeting rooms, phone and screen booths.
Price: Block of day passes: £175 pcm + VAT. Drop in at any location during 9am – 5:30pm with no commitments or expiry date.
Floating desk member: £200 pcm + VAT. Have 24/7 access to all workspaces with registered address and mail handling. Free printing and scanning, free guest allocation.
Dedicated desk: £250 pcm + VAT. All other member benefits plus your own dedicated desk and personal storage. Larger desk, access to dedicated zones.
Read more
