£1m workspace aimed at start-ups
A £1M office project in the centre of Belfast has created the city’s latest flexible workspace solution for budding entrepreneurs.
Family-owned firm Glandore has created desk space for 70 people on the fifth floor of Arthur House. The company said its new Arthur Street workspace is aimed at start-up entrepreneurs, small businesses and FDI companies taking their first steps into Northern Ireland. It will also be available for social and networking events and meet-ups.
It follows the recent plans unveiled by Danske Bank, to convert the ground floor of its headquarters in Belfast into a shared working environment for small companies.
Glandore was set up by the Kelly family in 2001. Its offices contain over 2,500 desks across eight locations between Belfast and Dublin. Among the companies which started their Irish operations using Glandore’s workspace are: Worldpay, Facebook, Twitter and Dropbox. Overseas investors such as Tullet Prebon, Cayan, Bamboo Rose and Bazaarvoice are among the current or former members of its offices in Belfast.
Company founder Michael Kelly said the co-working space he offers presents an opportunity for start-ups to rub shoulders with FDI companies at the early stage.
“We know from experience that long-term leases don’t work for some fast-growing companies who want speed to market with minimal risk and upfront costs. For many of them, whether they are local entrepreneurs or the first staff from an international company that has set up here, a vibrant co-working space is more desirable than sitting alone in an office.”