Member Article

Connect Derby expands furnished office offer across its workspaces

Connect Derby, the city’s primary managed workspace provider, has extended its furnished office offering following the success of a pilot scheme at its Friar Gate Studios headquarters.

Just two months after it was launched, the furnished offices at Friar Gate Studios on Ford Street achieved 89% occupancy with tenants including recruitment specialists EMBS and lettings agency Monkey v Owl.

Now furnished offices are being introduced at Connect Derby’s other managed workspaces at the iHub innovation centre, Sadler Bridge Studios, Riverside Chambers, Marble Hall, and Kings Chambers.

The Covid-secure offices will be available to rent on a short-term basis of up to six-months, and will be equipped with desks, chairs, storage units, phone lines and high-speed broadband. Some offices also have a breakfast bar, sofas, tub chairs, coffee tables, plants, and artwork.

Furnished offices at Friar Gate Studios range from 282 ft2 to 442 ft2 (capacity of 3 – 6 people) and from 311 ft2 and 314 ft2 at Sadler Bridge Studios (capacity of 3 – 6 people). At Riverside Chambers furnished offices range from 334 ft2 to 355 ft2 (capacity of 5 – 7 people), whilst at Marble Hall, they range from 366 ft2 to 387 ft2 (capacity of 3 – 6 people). All furnished offices at the iHub are 970 ft2 (capacity of 8 people).

Furnished offices have been introduced at Connect Derby in response to the changing workplace environment and increasing demand from businesses for a short-term letting arrangement as they reassess the impact of the pandemic on their operations.

They provide flexibility for businesses looking to return to office premises after working from home while they consider their options - or new start-ups looking for a home for their business without the additional expenditure and effort of having to furnish it themselves.

Businesses taking furnished offices at Connect Derby workspaces will enjoy a range of other facilities, including on-site cafés, business support and meeting and conferencing rooms.

When their initial six-month tenancy ends, they will be able to take a permanent office or co-working space at any Connect Derby’s workspace across the city.

A range of safety measures have been put in place to ensure all Connect Derby buildings are Covid compliant. A recent Covid risk assessment audit carried out by Derby City Council’s Corporate Health & Safety team rated Connect ‘Outstanding’, with a score of 92%.

Commenting on the expansion of the furnished office offer, Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, said:

“Our initial pilot scheme at Friar Gate Studios was a huge success, providing businesses with the breathing space they need to consider their future accommodation needs.

“Since it was launched in 2014, Connect Derby have been pioneers of the managed workspace sector in the region. We hope the expansion of these highly quality furnished offices will encourage more people back into the city centre.

“We look forward to welcoming new businesses to Connect Derby and helping them to gain a competitive advantage in this new era of work.”

The arrival of Friar Gate Studios to Derby in 2007 laid the foundations for what has become a hugely successful managed workspace sector in the city. Connect Derby brings together Derby City Council’s workspaces to encourage enterprise in the city and act as a catalyst for growth.

The scheme provides micro businesses, entrepreneurs and SMEs with the high specification working environment, IT infrastructure and business support they need to grow. Tenants enjoy superfast broadband, meeting rooms equipped with AV equipment, and 24/7 access.

Co-working services and virtual office services are also available. Connect Derby also operates a dedicated business support and mentoring programme.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sonia Bolla .