Co-Working update
Co-Working Belfast is well on the way to being set up as a Non-Profit.
We also viewed an excellent property today in the Cathedral Quarter which would be a serious candidate for Co-Working Belfast. The site is circa 1200 sq ft, has a modern kitchenette, toilets and disabled access.
We’ve also applied, with the help of Belfast City Council, to the Creative Industries Innovation Fund for some funding to create fully equipped hot-desks as well as buy desking, chairs and office amenities for the co-working space. The funding also covers some software and backup facilities for co-working road warriors. We just have to wait and see if we get it.
What the funding does not cover is the rent. The rent + rates would be approximately £20000 per year which means we’d need to bring that in through ‘client’ rents and/or sponsorship. The space itself is amenable to holding events in the evening as well as co-working spaces during the day. We would anticipate that we can probably fit 20 people in there in working spaces - and with hot-desk subscriptions, it works out even better.
If you want to comment, please do so below. Please also add any constructive comments or opinions regarding the creation of co-working spaces.
Tags: Co-Working
November 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
So £100 per month per desk would cover the rent, assuming all 20 desks were taken? Pretty reasonable. Would it be 100% open plan? Or would there be smaller offices to sub let?
Are you gonna offer virtual post boxes like other Serviced Offices? This could bring in a small amount of additional revenue too…
November 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
We’d need 20 people. If we only got 10 people then we’d be limited to £200 per month which is harder to swallow. It requires everyone to pitch in and join in.
The space is 100% open plan which may be a minus to some people. There are no meeting rooms with this, just a “mobile phone” alcove and a coffee shop downstairs. There is more room on the same floor and we’re asking about that availability as well.
November 10th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
And yes, additional services like serviced offices will help make up the difference. I really would like the rents to get down to £100 a month, with 10 open desks, 5 desks complete with high end workstations and a breakout area.
That’s the plan. It just requires 20 people to sign up.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Have a look at the pervasive media studio at Bristol http://www.pmstudio.co.uk/joining-pervasive-media-studio
They have a similar set of objectives but offer a number of options for joining in.
Brian
November 10th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
[...] It really is time to put your chips on the table. I’ve also posted a little update on the Digital Circle blog and sent this message onto the OpenCoffee mailing [...]
November 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Hi Brian, We’ve taken things like the PV studio on board before. We’re still form-filling to be honest but to give you a look, check out Andy McMillan’s blog post on it.
http://goodonpaper.org/entries/heigh-ho/
And if you’re feeling it, sign up.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:32 am
[...] CoWorking update on Digital Circle CoWorking Update on Cimota.com [...]