Worcestershire’s start-ups, freelancers and small businesses can now access a long-anticipated co-working space at the Old Police station on Copenhagen Street, after its grand opening on 30th August.
The Kiln, a collaborative community to help entrepreneurs and lone workers, is a friendly and imaginative space to work and provides hot desking for over 60 people. It has undergone extensive building and renovation work, creating a modern, fresh and practical space for professionals to use as their base, share ideas and network with likeminded people.
The launch of The Kiln comes hot on the heels of The Kiln 0.5, which was a smaller scale, temporary hub based in The Guildhall on Worcester’s high street. It proved popular, having over 20 self-employed people using the space.
With the new launch, entrepreneurs can benefit from:
- A flexible way of working – professionals can book a work space just one day a month or a full working week.
- Unlimited tea and coffee will be provided.
- Free, super-fast wi-fi is available.
- The building is fully air conditioned, offers event space and a range of meeting rooms.
The Kiln is the brainchild of Greg Smith and Hamish Gill, co-owners of the visual identity agency F8 Creates, and is the first of its kind in Worcester. It has been backed by Worcester City Council, which has invested £400,000 in the initiative, and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, which has provided £195,000 towards refurbishment via the Government’s Local Growth Fund.
Greg Smith said: ‘We are thrilled to officially launch The Kiln and provide a creative, innovative hub for the region’s entrepreneurs. Our new co-working space will give freelancers and start-ups the collaborative space they need to take their ideas to the next level, while also offering fantastic networking opportunities.
‘There’s a huge amount of talent in Worcestershire and the surrounding areas, and by bringing it all together in one place, we are confident that great things are yet to come.’
Cllr Adrian Gregson, Deputy Leader of Worcester City Council, said: ‘We’re passionate about driving economic growth and exciting innovation within the region. The Kiln aligns perfectly with this vision.’
‘The Kiln represents fantastic progress in making the County a place of entrepreneurialism and growth and we are looking forward to welcoming freelancers and business owners of all kinds.’ Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership added.
Minister for Local Growth, the Rt Hon Jake Berry MP said: ‘We are committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the Midlands Engine and ensuring every community has the support and investment it needs to flourish.
‘The Kiln, supported by £195,000 investment from the Government’s Local Growth Fund investment, will provide new workspace for entrepreneurs, and will serve as a community hub where ideas to unlock the full potential of the region can be explored and developed by businesses from far and wide in one creative space.’
Jess Antley, from Worcestershire Innovation Network (WINN), has played a key part in making The Kiln a reality. She said: ‘The team here at WINN have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team from The Kiln, and we are very excited to continue our work together and to start helping the region’s entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life through our networking and business support programmes.
Anyone wishing to find out more about The Kiln or enquire about working space, please visit: www.thekiln.co or call 01905 612260.