Built for companies of all sizes, Smithfield Works is equipped with all the latest tech, multiple breakout spaces and private suites.
Smithfield Works offers flexible membership options accommodating solo entrepreneurs, start-ups, small business and growing businesses, with hot-desking facilities available that give unlimited access to personal workstations in the communal areas of the building.
The project has been part-funded by Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) via the Government’s Getting Building Fund. The LEP allocated £470,000 to this scheme to help bring forward the workspace project and provide new flexible workspace for businesses in the area. The project has been delivered in partnership with the City of Stoke on Trent City Council as part of the Councils wider programme and Levelling Up ambitions.
Joel Chandler from developer and creator of the wider Smithfield neighbourhood, Genr8 Developments said, “Smithfield Works is the first of its kind in Stoke. With collaboration, creativity and community at the forefront of its design, we have already seen strong interest from potential occupiers.
“With working from home guidance and other restrictions lifted, we’re expecting Smithfield Works to quickly become a vibrant community full of like-minded, forward-thinking individuals and businesses.
“We wanted to create an exciting space that works for anyone, and I believe we’ve achieved that.”
Alun Rogers, chair of Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP, commented:
“With the changes to working patterns over the past few years, we know that businesses are looking for more flexible workspaces and places to come together and share creativity and ideas. The opening of Smithfield comes at a great time when people are starting to look for opportunities to connect in person.
“We are extremely pleased to have supported this project via the Government’s Getting Building Fund – one of several projects in which we are collaborating with the public and private sector to boost our local economy and create further opportunity across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.”
The fit-out at Genr8’s Smithfield Works was completed by specialists, Dragonfly.
The building is equipped with the fastest broadband available, bike storage, lockers and showers. Also, members will be provided with a number of benefits, including local offers and a busy events schedule.
Smithfield Works provides a mix of private suites ranging from 4 to 14 desks, hot-desking facilities, shared working space promoting collaborative working and ancillary break out communal areas.
As part of the growing Smithfield neighbourhood in Hanley, Smithfield Works is a major component of the levelling-up agenda in Stoke-on-Trent.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown said: “Stoke-on-Trent continues to buck the trends in the recovery from Covid-19, and we’re really excited with the modern, quality and digitally connected workspace we’re seeing coming forward in the city. Smithfield Works will be the first of its kind in the city centre and is another example of how the area is changing and transforming for the better.
“We’ve noticed a rise in demand for space for start-ups, and this funding has allowed us to quickly transform under-used spaces with flexible offers that are affordable and accessible.
“The Smithfield scheme is the first of a number of new business enterprise centres being established across the city, including Swann House and Spode within Stoke town along with the upper floor of Longton Town Hall. It is high quality, flexible workspace for anyone looking to start or grow their business in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Andrew Cowell from agents OBI marketing the scheme said: “Smithfield Works is a new and exciting offering for the city. We are already receiving strong levels of interest from a cross-sector of businesses. The fit-out is top quality and we are looking forward to seeing numerous businesses flourish and grow as they operate in the space.
