How co-working spaces are changing the way business is done in NI

by Startacus Admin

As business in Northern Ireland continues to evolve, our office and work environment evolves with it. Clare Kelly, Director of leading serviced offices and coworking spaces provider, Glandore explains how co-working spaces are helping to change the way business is done in NI. 

“Northern Irish companies are increasingly looking for more adaptable workplaces that allow room for growth without committing to long leases and expensive overheads. Co-working and shared office spaces allow companies to adjust their office needs as the business develops and grows, thereby creating a bespoke package that aligns to their current needs. 

Recent research from leading tech and startup organisation Tech Nation revealed that the number of new digital firms born in Northern Ireland accelerated by 143 per cent between 2011 and 2016. More specifically with regards to Belfast, it highlighted that the city had been the main accelerator in that digital growth - with an impressive estimated £875m in turnover coming from the digital sector and the Belfast area alone.

Glandore has been based in Belfast since 2006, in that time we’ve seen the growth of a now thriving startup, entrepreneurial and gig-economy community, who are leading the way in changing how business is done in NI. 

Fast tech growth and scaling companies have a need for fast evolving and flexible office spaces. In fact, flexible office and co-working spaces are not silent partners in all this - our flexibility has helped to create those more flexible co-founders, CEO’s and workforces.

From one to two person startup teams to FDIs, our flexible approach has allowed us to cater to all needs, from the starting up to the scaling. Co-working gives startups the ability to scale, creating options to adjust their working environment as and when they need, particularly in the early stages of growth. Glandore members can choose between a variety of options from hot desks, dedicated desks to private offices and co-working spaces.

That flexibility allows for companies, from the small tech startup, through to the established commercial giant to scale-up and on occasion, scale-down. Such flexibility has previously been missing from the wider real estate sector.

Technology is admittedly a big factor in this. The growth of the remote and flexible workforce means that as companies scale internationally, new international office teams can also spring up, and with very little notice. A laptop and a WiFi connection are the basic core requirements for many to run a business. This technological change has meant that Belfast and more widely NI, has welcomed many an international business, businesses that previously would have found it challenging to find a commercial base. Co-working has helped to drive that change and we should be proud of how we are helping to shape this economy. 

Co-working is changing the nature of the 9-5 work environment, but it is also changing the setting. The majority of people will spend a large amount of their working week in their office, it is not surprising that people are looking for a more creative and innovative space to work in. 

It’s no longer about providing a desk within four grey walls, it should be about providing a place that puts employees at ease while encouraging productivity and creativity. Co-workers should work (and to an extent live) in an office space that of course caters to their business needs, but also creates working conditions that inspire and motivate.

We embrace creating work spaces that help to increase both that productivity and efficiency - and we are still surprised when visitors to our spaces seem surprised at the creative style, comfort and also privacy we aim to offer our members - this should be the standard.

Co-working is addressing the needs of a new generation of employees, but it is also changing the nature of business. With the growth of the startup community and the increased desire for co-working spaces, there are communities forming around and across co-working spaces in Belfast. We’re proud that our alumni network includes Twitter, Facebook, Rapid 7, Cayan, Worldpay. 

Belfast has become an important base for Glandore, and we look forward to housing the next big and small tech giants over the years to come."


Glandore can be found on social via Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

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Published on: 22nd October 2018