A new co-working hub for small-but-ambitious firms in Bath’s creative and tech sectors has opened, offering them modern office accommodation in the city centre.
Based at the Guildhall – and aptly named The Guild – the 3,500-plus sq ft newly-redeveloped space offers breakout areas, conference rooms, a library as well as a number of small meeting rooms.
It has been planned to provide a vibrant environment where businesses can meet and share ideas. While Bristol has had a range of co-working hubs for a number of years – attracting like-minded small firms and start-ups to their bright, modern and well-designed offices – Bath has lagged behind in offering anything similar despite being a major centre for the creative and tech industries in its own right.
The Guild is the brainchild of Tom Lewis, owner of Bath web marketing agency FirstExact and co-founder of tech networking group BathSPARK. Its launch has been supported by Bath law firm Mogers and it has already signed up its first members.
Tom says his vision is to make it the world’s best co-working hub.
“The Guild is an idea that I have had for many years and to see it starting to take shape with its first members on board is particularly gratifying,” he said. “I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of the Bath business community. The support of local businesses such as Mogers has been fundamental, without their help we really could not afford to have got this project off the ground.”
Mogers head of commercial Tom Webb added: “It is a really exciting project to be involved with and a really great asset for the Bath, particularly as office space is often out of reach for start-up businesses. I am sure The Guild will help encourage people to start their own businesses as well as help the local business community share ideas.”
Among the first members is Evan Rudowski, owner of membership website provider SubHub, who said: “This is a great facility and just what I was looking for in Bath. While I have an established office in Cardiff Bay I live in the centre of Bath so it is ideal to have a place where I can locate myself and also meet other like-minded businesses.”
The Guild has also gained support from BANES, Bath Spa University and phone firm Gradwell.
For more information go to www.theguildhub.co.uk
