A co-working space for freelancers and small business has been launched in refurbished premises in the centre of North Shields.
Andrew and Jade Bowers, the husband-and-wife team behind digital design agency Common Fiction, have turned 85 Howard Street into a workspace which they hope will attract creatives from the local community. Work to revamp the building in the centre of the town completed earlier this year, and a number of businesses have already used the base.
Organisations such as Authentic agency and Generator North East as well as freelance web designer Katie Raven, and illustrator Sharon Armstrong are among users of the building's 13 bookable workspaces. Common Place also boasts a kitchen, a dining area, a breakout space with library, a private room for six people, two gender neutral bathrooms and a private yard with bike storage.
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Jade Bowers, studio and people manager at Common Fiction, said: "We were inspired by co-working studios in Lisbon and London to bring a fresh and contemporary approach to the North East. We realised it was not something on offer in the current market and we believe it’s a huge area of growth and potential.
"North Shields felt like the ideal spot for Common Place. Not only is it where my husband grew up, and where we live together, the coastal town has also seen such a fantastic and exciting amount of investment and planned regeneration that will benefit local businesses. We knew we wanted our first studio space to come to life in North Shields and felt strongly about being a part of this historic town’s transformation.
"Our studio is based right in the heart of North Tyneside council’s regeneration plan and we couldn’t be prouder to be surrounded by so many local and independent businesses.”
Common Place has put together a schedule of events at the space, including socials for friends and members, yoga sessions, well-being and business talks. Mr and Mrs Bowers say they emphasise mental health wellbeing at the venue and have consciously created safe space for women, black, indigenous and people of colour and LGBTQIA+ creatives.
Mrs Bowers added: "After the pandemic there was a huge cultural shift in how we all work. In 2022, eight in 10 workers who had worked remotely for the past two years planned to continue to hybrid work.
"We wanted to be part of this huge cultural shift, by not only creating an inspiring place to work but also a safe and inclusive space for the entire community.”
Following a recent visit to the co-working studio space, Rachel Laffey from North Tyneside council, said: “Common Fiction have created a cool workspace for co-working at 85 Howard Street, North Shields. What Jade, Andrew and their team have done in such a short space of time is quite remarkable. You can feel the creative energy and positive vibe as soon as you step through the door."
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