Recent Co-Working information

[Ben Gibbs]

Hello,

Yesterday was the most recent Co-Working day in Manchester. We had a meeting in the morning with a few people, 5 chaps from de Poel Semiotica, Guy Dickinson, Andrew and Ian from LiquidBronze, me and a couple of others.

Guy expressed his interest in having the Co-Working space set amongst other "bohemian" artistic companies or individuals. We showed those present the pictures of St Wilfreds Enterprise Centre, a converted church in Hulme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/woowooben/sets/72157603729679933/ Guy really liked the look and feel of the place, especially since there are arty and community groups based there.

We then showed the pics of Manchester Science Park and the de Poel Semiotica guys prefered the idea of being there: http://www.flickr.com/photos/woowooben/sets/72157603851805023/ This is where I (Ben Gibbs), Andrew and Ian from LiquidBronze, and Tom Kershaw already share an office.

So there are already different expectations from people!

I chatted to a lady from The Hub in London (http://the-hub.net) this morning and hope to visit them later this month. They sell time rather than space in blocks of 25, 50 or unlimited hours per week. The organisations using their facilities are all social entrepreneurial companies, a bit different to us. They also organise events with guest speakers and inspirational breakfasts.

I think that any Co-Working effort in Manchester, unless it gets funding from somewhere, will have to grow slowly. I wonder whether the best option for now is to register the Co-op, then rent a large room to seat 10 people at the Manchester Science Park, along with the room LiquidBronze already uses as a "quiet room" and see how that goes for 3 months.

Then after the 3 months, the members can vote on moving elsewhere with a more beneficial set-up, and vote on how many they could grow by for the next 3 months.

Andrew from LiquidBronze is looking into prices for the above idea.

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Ben

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[Guy Dickinson]

On 14 May 2008, at 16:22, Ben Gibbs wrote:

> Hello,
>
> Yesterday was the most recent Co-Working day in Manchester. We had a
> meeting in the morning with a few people, 5 chaps from de Poel
> Semiotica, Guy Dickinson, Andrew and Ian from LiquidBronze, me and a
> couple of others.
>
> Guy expressed his interest in having the Co-Working space set
> amongst other "bohemian" artistic companies or individuals. We
> showed those present the pictures of St Wilfreds Enterprise Centre,
> a converted church in Hulme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/woowooben/sets/72157603729679933/
> Guy really liked the look and feel of the place, especially since
> there are arty and community groups based there.
>

> <snip>

Thanks for taking the time to write all that up, Ben.

Just had a quick look at 'The Hub''s site...site is a PITA to get
through, but I love their London building (the only one I could find a
gallery for) and their general approach to space, even more so that
they "organise events with guest speakers and inspirational breakfasts."

I think I have fairly different needs from the majority of you guys,
so I'm not sure I'll be involved - but keep me on the list; I'm really
interested in the model and your progress.

Ben - could you forward me contact details for the person in the Hub
you spoke to? You mentioned they were thinking of setting up a
Manchester space?

guy.