Our Creative Space programme is back – an opportunity for IdeasTap members to swap their creative skills for office space, facilities and a buzzing community of creative businesses. Thinking of applying? Read about the experiences of three Creative Space residents – and its manager…
Sian Meades, Editor of lifestyle blog Domestic Sluttery
When you work for yourself from the comfort of your home, you don’t really have any colleagues (the cast of Gilmore Girls doesn’t count). You don’t have people to chat to while you make a cup of tea. You don’t have a bunch of folk who understand when you’re having a tough day. That’s the best thing about Creative Space for me. Everyone in the space understands that running a business is hard; working for yourself is rewarding but having a bunch of people to share the ups and downs with makes a huge difference to my working day.
I wouldn’t say that I work harder, but I do work better. I’m not staring at my laptop at two am every night. I’m more productive, I’m more focused and I’m creating new opportunities. I’m happier, I’m more relaxed, and my business is becoming stronger and more profitable.
Sarah Loader, Producer at theatre company Snapdragon Productions
The Creative Space environment is compelling. Working in The Hub gives you the feeling that everyone around you is very much “on the up”. Being in that environment really drives us forward, not to mention the brilliant creative contacts that we have forged as a result of being in the space.
Peter De Haan, who founded IdeasTap and introduced the Creative Space programme, believes that if you are working in a positive and healthy environment, you will work harder. That has certainly been the case for us. The excellent computers, comfortable chairs, welcoming meeting spaces, and healthy subsidised canteen helps you feel comfortable, encourages a maintainable routine and spurs us on to work harder and enjoy our work more.
The space gives Snapdragon that classy edge that we didn’t have when we were running the business from our kitchen tables. Finally being able to say “come to my office” to a client or collaborator and seeing the impression the space leaves with them is a wonderful feeling and gives us confidence in our company and our work.
Chris Martinez, Head of Production at film company PINYATA
Creative Space has been a great opportunity to take our film production company forward.
Working from a professional environment has really encouraged us to work harder and raise our standard of work. The location and facilities have also had a positive impact on our clients.
The community aspect is great as it has opened up a lot of collaborative opportunities but also ensures it is a fun place to be creative and run ideas by others.
I fully recommend the scheme to anyone looking for a hub to work from and meet like-minded creatives.
Ben Cooper-Melchiors, Creative Space’s General Manager
Creative Space is a “coworking” programmewith shared office facilities, a network of support and a community of creatives, freelancers and entrepreneurs.
The term coworking was spun in 2005, and a movement of shared spaces and styles of working has exploded since. A book on it came out last year: DeGuzman and Tang’s Working in the Unoffice exhibits this movement to fill the modern office gap, and covers the options and surprising benefits of coworking. Making professional creativity work is all about the right balance of structure and chaos: affordable facilities, rich networks and inspiration sources. That’s what Creative Space intends to work towards.
As Hub General Manager overseeing the floor, the best moments for me are when project issues are resolved by a neighbour’s advice. Plus, the creativity coming out of it. In our office, an episode of EastEnders was written, our staff team photos were illustrated and films, festivals and plays have been produced – to critical acclaim.
Apply to join Creative Space now – membership will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so get your application in quickly…