Workspace Project

A new project has been launched in Chester this week to provide workspaces and support for at least 21 small businesses. 

The Workspace project, Chester pilot funded by the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is working with seven Chester workspace providers. The workspaces have been chosen to offer flexibility enabling businesses across a variety of sectors to access this opportunity.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy & Regeneration said: “This project is aimed at start up, micro and small/medium businesses providing them with ad hoc coworking space and wrap around business support to help their development and growth. Each business accessing the space will go through a diagnostic which will look at their growth plans.  This information will help our team identify what support the business needs to progress and look at opportunities to access appropriate provision. 

“It could be young graduates looking to progress their business, through the OpenHome retail workspace provider, that in turn supports our local high street, increasing footfall and encouraging new businesses 

“Grosvenor Hart are creating workspaces for their housing tenants which will also be available to the wider business community. The Grosvenor project is a new initiative looking to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people and their families by providing high-quality affordable homes alongside tailored wrap around support services, including supporting tenants that want to start their own business.”

The project is being managed by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Business Growth Team. The pilot is with providers in Chester but in year two (April 2023-March 2024) the plan is to roll out the opportunity to workspace providers across the West Cheshire area.

Added Councillor Beacham: “Starting out and growing a business on your own can be both exciting and a daunting prospect. This pilot project addresses some of those initial barriers; offering support and advice and helping to remove the isolation that can happen with home-based businesses. 

“There is a strength in numbers and an opportunity to build new local supply chains and share ideas and good practise with other entrepreneurs.” 
 
The providers included in the pilot are:

- Code Nation - https://wearecodenation.com/
- Industry Coworking Chester - https://industrychester.co.uk/
- OH (OpenHome) – https://www.ohconcept.store/
- Basepoint Business Centre - https://www.basepoint.co.uk/locations/chester-red-hill-house
- University of Chester Business School – https://www1.chester.ac.uk/chester-business-school
- Shiftworks - https://shift-works.co.uk/
- Grosvenor Hart 

For further details about the taking part in the pilot contact: business@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The Workspace project is part of the Council’s commitment to supporting businesses as part of the vision for an Inclusive Economy. To find out more about the Inclusive Economy:
Inclusive Economy | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Support for business start-ups can be found on the Let’s Talk Business website:
Business Start-Up (letstalkbizcw.co.uk)