Cobden Place Co-working Community

We had just signed a new 10 year lease and the pandemic hit. 

Over the past 5 years we have been a creative hub for independent business in Nottingham. We want to continue in what we are doing, supporting creativity, independent business growth and the local economy.

Cobden Place is secluded in the heart of Nottingham's creative quarter and Lace market. Located at the end of Cobden Chambers this stunning once neglected lace factory now plays host to a variety of independent businesses. Cobden Place was sympathetically restored in 2015 By Liam Woodgates & Becky Evers turning a neglected shell to a stunning creative hub for independent businesses.

Over the years we have been a home for many start up business ventures, independent businesses and freelancers such as Graphic design firms, Community interest projects, Zero waste and vegan shop, Digital marketing enterprises, Charities, Education programs, Festivals, Local food producers and cafe's.      

Cobden Place today
The pandemic has made us rethink our direction, the requirements and necessities for independent businesses and freelancers. For our Co-working we need to offer a space that is,

• Affordable
  Our new pricing structure will offer an affordable and accessible budget to all.
• Has easy in and easy out terms
  We have learnt that people need flexibility for their working ways.
• A sense of community with like minded people
  Our community has always been our strongest point and now more than ever this will be integral for people.

We are a very small family run business employing self employed artisans, graduates and young people.
This aspect of our business has always been important to us, especially going forward and during these hard times as the creative community can be the hardest hit. Giving people the opportunity and support to learn new skills and be creative in their job roll.  

Cobden place has been described by past and current members as 

"A home from home"
"A great place to collaborate and grow my businesses"
"The people, the service and support make it what it is"

What our building is made up of 

On our ground floor we have a Vintage shop that is sister to our other site Hopkinson's on station street that offers creative retail space to around 100 individualistic seller and houses a Barbers shop, Tattoo studio, Camera shop and many more. Along with our shop on the ground floor we have a Cafe that offers and supports local handmade sweet and savoury goods, our cafe also acts as an extension to the Co-working. Then spread over three floors we have Meeting spaces, studios and Co-working all overlooking the rooftops of Nottingham city centre.   

To raise the funds we are accepting donations and offering a number of rewards including discounted memberships that also come with further discounts on our other services such as meeting rooms, cafe and shop. We have limited edition art pieces and prints by local artists, tote bags and offers on our retail spaces in our shop. 

All named donations will be added to our Backers wall - every backer no matter how big or small with have their name added to our backers wall.  

Take all look at our rewards and what may be suited to you, we are hugely thankful for any donation big or small. 

With the funds we raise we aim to

• Create 3 new jobs for 18-24 year olds in 2021.
  This will help us in our efforts to support a pathway in employment to younger people straight out of education or who have found themselves unemployed due to the pandemic.    
• Expand, update and create more capacity for our Co-working studio and meeting spaces.
  This includes creating two new studios for Co-working and expanding the amount of desks we have, new chill zones and introducing a number of call pods. Creating a large new meeting room that external and internal people of Cobden place can book and use for a multitude of different needs.        
• Continue our work acting as an incubator allowing for growth and development for independent business and individuals.
  
  Co-working has naturally been hit hard due to the pandemic but we feel that it is now even more important to create a home from home for like minded creative thinkers and doers on the other-side of these difficult times.

Our manifesto going forward  

Offering affordable low cost work and retail space for SME’s, Freelancers and independent Business owners.

Providing Easy in and out rental and contractual terms. 

Creating an organic community of like minded conscientious businesses and individuals. 

Acting as an incubator allowing for growth and development for businesses and individuals.

Providing a safe space for all. 

A place to be creative, to share, to be explorative, to be excited, to be thoughtful, to take risks and most importantly to enjoy.

On a personal note, just before the pandemic happened it was a joy to see the building full and lively with so many people working, collaborating and making friends. It felt like this building was living its purpose. We want to have this again in what ever form a new normal may be. We offer our deepest sympathy for other independent businesses and the creative industry and the struggles we are all facing. But there is a future and it will be bright.