As one of England’s biggest cities, Manchester is not just the home of successful soccer clubs and pop bands, but an economic knowledge-led centre, with research and enterprise clustered around universities and startup enthusiasts. With the shift from traditional workplaces to remote and freelance work, a lot of co-working spaces have opened, typically equipped with high-speed internet, desk space, and operating as a hub where people can work and network. Traditionally, they serve free tea and biscuits too. Here are 10 of Manchester’s best co-working spaces:
Bee Hive lofts – Located in a former Victorian factory, Bee Hive lofts is built around the premise of bringing people together. Divided in three essential areas: Workspace, Breakout Space and Meeting Space, it offers excellent working atmosphere with its modern desks, ergonomic chairs, and large meeting rooms at no cost. Once the job is done, in the Breakout Space you can casually enjoy pool tables, hammocks, sofas, cinema screen, entertainment booths and library. Cost: Monthly package is available for €325.
Central coworking – Central coworking is a product of the partnership between Rise accelerator and Barclays, which offers co-working space and facilities for Manchester’s up-and-coming startup enthusiasts. Known to provide excellent support, infrastructure, and tools, in addition to abundance of networking events. Drop-in and reserved desks are available, as well as 150 capacity lecture theatre, meeting room suite and kitchen facilities. If you’re looking to make important connections, Central Working is a great place to get spotted.
OSG works – Old Granada Studios, a former TV hub, now offers desk space under the OGS Works brand. OSG works has opened its doors to start-ups and freelancers to music producers and large corporations, accelerating their growth with support and advice. Members not only gain access to desk space and high-speed wifi, but also meeting rooms, music studios, event space and free beer and pizza on a Friday. Cost: Monthly packages vary from €110 to €220.
Workplace – The idea behind Workplace is to provide a place for members to be free from the responsibilities of office management. For that reason, Workplace offers boutique-style offices, private desks in open spaces, hot-desks, comfortable business lounge, unlimited free tea, coffee and biscuits, bike parking, business growth support and assistance and events management. Cost: Tailor-made membership packages are available. It starts from €12 per day.
Accelerate places – Housed in a former textile mill, with a contemporary industrial chic interior design, Accelerate places provides 180 desk spaces over two floors, with a members only private café, communal area, tech-enabled meeting rooms and breakout areas. Open to fintech, creative, digital, design and technology development companies, they offer business mentoring support, as well as advice on accounting, tax, legal, finance, HR. Cost: Monthly package is available for €325.
MadLab – MadLab is best known for hosting workshops and courses focused on creative innovation, but their coworking space might be just for you if you prefer being surrounded by artists, designers, technologists, and entrepreneurs testing new creative and social enterprises.Whether you’re looking for a permanent or flexible space, there are 18 desks available, spacious and cozy area completed with fully equipped functional facilities. Cost: Monthly package is available for €230.
The Landing – The Landing, MediaCityUK’s tech and enterprise hub, offers workspace based on fulfillment of entry criteria. It provides a unique mix of high quality co-working space together with access to incubator programme with bootcamp workshops and a range of hi-tech testing labs, maker and prototyping workshops. To keep the community together, there is friday beers and snacks every week, monthly breakfast networking and regular in-house wellness and fitness activities. Cost: Monthly package is available for €220.
Headspace – The 1,500 m2 space is open to startups in the tech, creative and media sectors and it comprises of a mix of private offices and co-working spaces, with additional facilities including a nap room, uniquely themed meeting rooms, private work booths, refreshment bars, shower rooms, as well as a 60-person event space. Community engagement is possible through a mixture of business, leisure and social events each month. Cost: Monthly package is available for €220.
SpacePort X – With local telecommunications giant Telcom based there, as well as individual writers, artists, developers and other creative industry entrepreneurs, SpacePortx provides networking opportunities and a relaxed space for the residents to be creative and network within a community-driven office space. Known for its rooftop terrace, SpacePortx’s membership includes full amenities, kitchen and free use of meeting room. Cost: Monthly packages vary from €165 to €265.
Sharp project – Sharp project is the ideal facility for anyone working within the media industry. For those who need a little bit more than desk space – say, sound stages, studios, or general production space, this is the place to go. This media hub offers work spaces which are design led and built to a high specification but practical, functional and ultimately affordable. It is home to film makers, gaming and digital agencies, tech start ups and graphic designers, making it the focal point of Manchester’s creative community. Cost: From €15 per day.
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