Co-working Space For Entrepreneurs Opens In Worcester

A new co-working space for creative and technical entrepreneurs is proving popular with Worcester’s self-employed professionals.

Eight businesses have rented a hot desk or office space since The Kiln 0.5 officially opened its doors in December 2018 – with a further eleven enquiries in the pipeline. The Kiln 0.5 is based in the Guildhall on Worcester’s High Street and provides hot desking for up to 13 people, free wi-fi and unlimited tea and coffee from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Businesses and freelancers can hire space there from just one day per month through to unlimited access during opening hours.

The Guildhall is a temporary location for the Kiln, while a permanent venue in the old Police Station on Copenhagen Street undergoes building and renovation work. This is expected to be completed in the summer, allowing The Kiln creative community to relocate to the larger venue.

The Kiln is the brainchild of Greg Smith and Hamish Gill, co-owners of the agency F8 Creates, and is the first of its kind in Worcester. It has been supported by Worcester City Council, which has committed £100,000 in funding to the initiative, and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, which has invested £195,000 of Government’s Local Growth Fund to fit out the property.

“Through our work with innovative projects and creative brands in the region, it didn’t escape our attention that freelancers and start-ups had no co-working spaces in which to work and develop their ideas,” says Greg Smith.

“That’s why we wanted to create a community: to support designers, developers and other techies and creatives to be brilliant here in Worcester and maintain the region’s strength in innovation.”

Cllr Lucy Hodgson, Chair of the Place and Economic Development Sub-Committee at Worcester City Council says: “We’re pleased to be able to offer the type of flexible accommodation which start-up businesses and entrepreneurs are looking for, right in the heart of the city. The City Council is very keen to support creative new businesses, and to be a real catalyst for innovation.”

“The developments at The Kiln represent a great step forward in our ambitions of boosting creative and technical businesses in the county,” added Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“Co-working spaces will help to equip businesses with the support to grow and bring innovative new ideas to life. We look forward to seeing The Kiln continue its growth.”

For more information, visit The Kiln website.

Original article can be found on the WLEP website.