Stoke-on-Trent's newest co-working space has officially opened in the city centre.
Smithfield Works has been developed as part of the wider Smithfield scheme, in Hanley, which already boasts two office blocks, the Hilton Garden Inn, the Clayworks apartment and the new 730-space multi-storey car park.
It has been built on the ground floor space at the 2 Smithfield building and across the ground floor and level zero of Clayworks.
Developer Genr8 unveiled its vision for Smithfield Works in September 2021, and this week the facility will officially open its doors to members for the first time.
Built for companies of all sizes, Smithfield Works is equipped with all the latest tech, multiple breakout spaces and private suites – ranging from four to 14 desks – as well as hot-desking facilities, communal workspaces and private 'Zoom booths'. It offers flexible membership to suit everyone from entrepreneurs and start-ups to small and growing businesses.
Joel Chandler, from Genr8 Developments said: "Smithfield Works is the first of its kind in Stoke-on-Trent.
"With collaboration, creativity and community at the forefront of its design, we have already seen strong interest from potential occupiers.
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"With working from home guidance and other restrictions lifted, we’re expecting Smithfield Works to quickly become a vibrant community full of like-minded, forward-thinking individuals and businesses.
"We wanted to create a business eco-system and an exciting space that works for anyone, and I believe we’ve achieved that."
The project has been part-funded by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) via the Government's Getting Building Fund.
The LEP allocated £470,000 to help bring forward the scheme, which has been delivered in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
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LEP chair Alun Rogers said: "With the changes to working patterns over the past few years, we know that businesses are looking for more flexible workspaces and places to come together and share creativity and ideas.
"The opening of Smithfield Works comes at a great time when people are starting to look for opportunities to connect in person.
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"We are extremely pleased to have supported this project via the Government's Getting Building Fund – one of several projects in which we are collaborating with the public and private sector to boost our local economy and create further opportunity across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown said: "Stoke-on-Trent continues to buck the trends in the recovery from Covid-19, and we’re really excited with the modern, quality and digitally connected workspace we're seeing coming forward in the city.
"Smithfield Works will be the first of its kind in the city centre and is another example of how the area is changing and transforming for the better."
Andrew Cowell from real estate agents OBI, which is marketing the scheme, added: "Smithfield Works is a new and exciting offering for the city. We are already receiving strong levels of interest from a cross-sector of businesses.
"The fit-out is top quality and we are looking forward to seeing numerous businesses flourish and grow as they operate in the space."