Article
Shared Working Spaces
Chapter 81
The rise of self-employment is evident; just visit any coffee shop between the hours of 9 and 5. With both workplaces becoming more future-forward and trusting, and many companies deciding to use self-employed staff instead of regular employees, more and more people are working outside of the usual ‘office’ environment.
Self-employment may even set overtake regular employment soon. More than 500,000 self-employed 22-30 year olds in the UK in 2018, a third more than in 2008 according to this study. This increase in popularity has brought more shared workspaces to Leeds, as well as providing more work-friendly spaces within regular businesses like cafes. Leeds has some great spaces to work from, so you can say goodbye to hopping between coffee shops and sign up to a coworking space or serviced office now…..
Image credit: JAD Photography Duke Studios
Duke Studios
One of the original co-working spaces in Leeds. Starting in late 2011 with their Munro House Duke concept, the brand has been open in Sheaf Street since May 2015. Named as one of the twelve Coolest Coworking Spaces in the World by USA Today and on Nomad Capitalist’s list of Best Coworking Spaces in Europe (there are only three UK entries). Duke is an open, collaborative space based around a coworking model, providing a range of workspaces, creative services and facilities (as well as an onsite event space and great food and drink cafe space courtesy of Grub & Grog. Duke is a hub for creatives and their businesses.
Web:duke-studios.com
Image credit: wizuworkspace.com
Wizu Workspace
Two Leeds branches of Wizu (one in the Leeming Building, set above the beautiful Kirkgate Markets, and one on Park Cross Street) offer a similar work system - coworking spaces alongside serviced offices, which include internet, telephone, reception, meeting rooms, kitchens, showers, 24/7 access...everything you would need from your comfortable office environment, all in one monthly bill (with no long contracts). A perfect mixture of community and quiet, Wizu is a stylish workspace which can grow with you, from 1 small office to entire floor, if need be.
Web:wizuworkspace.comCastleton Mill
Castleton Mill is both affordable and inspiring as a hub for creative businesses. Maintaining some of the original mill aesthetic, the Grade II-listed former textile mill offers rooms that are bright, light and airy, completed with modern infrastructure and style. Affordable rents with easy access to the city, Castleton also offers internet and VOIP phones, meeting rooms, shared kitchens on every floor, shared flexible-use space, fresh food bar, showers and bike storage. They also offer access to a large-scale industrial space at Canal Mills, perfect for events, exhibitions, shoots and other creative projects, so it’s impossible to be constrained by space. They are also environmentally aware, ensuring Castleton Mill is responsible through sustainable design, low-carbon practices and internal energy production.
Web:castletonmill.com
Image credit: spacesworks.com
Spaces
New to Leeds in 2019, Spaces on Park Row was 80% let, with plans for more sites across Leeds. Spaces is a high-level coworking membership club (with access to Regus offices too). Located in the city’s central business district, Spaces Park Row is a contemporary space for modern commerce. A stone’s throw from all the city offers, it’s great for work-life balance too. With a suite of private offices, meeting rooms and communal spaces, Spaces is great for networking with like-minded professionals, too. The great glass facade offers natural light in abundance, as well as impressive city views, to sit alongside your wifi and friendly support staff. Choose from a coworking membership, a dedicated desk, or an office space.
Web:spacesworks.com/leeds/park-row/
Image credit: avenue-hq.com
Avenue HQ
East Parade’s Avenue HQ offers coworking, private and open plan offices, meeting rooms, an events space, and a bar and eatery. In the heart of the city, Avenue HQ is 35,000 square foot set across five floors, with 200 coworking desks, 35 private offices, 10 meeting rooms and an executive board room. With private underground parking (and being only a five minute walk from the train station), your commute is a doddle. Enjoy your members discount in onsite restaurant and cafe East Parade Social, as well as the fully-licensed rooftop bar. Avenue HQ makes sure you squeeze every drop out of life in this great city. Choose what fits your work model - they offer everything from hot desk to resident to private office.
Web:avenue-hq.com/locations/leeds/