Exploring the Bristol Coworking Office Revolution

A pioneering city, hub of innovation, economically prosperous, multicultural, vibrant and exciting; Bristol is all this and more. The city has been flourishing for a number of years and entrepreneurship is at an all-time high. Creatives, artisans, craftspeople, techies, business leaders and other talented individuals are all attracted to Bristol, many migrating from other major hubs, especially London, where business rents and the cost of living can be punitive.

A huge factor in Bristol’s growth and attraction for startups is the city’s burgeoning tech scene, which the 2018 Tech Nation Report praised as being the most productive throughout the UK. As of 2018, there were more than 35,000 digital jobs in Bristol. A lot of post graduate talent is retained, with Bristol having one of the highest student retention rates in the UK. 

Bristol may be home to many large international companies but its appeal to startups and small businesses is arguably unparalleled. Much of this comes down to the huge amount of support such as incubators like WebStart Bristol and SETsquared, as well as Bristol’s impressive number of coworking spaces. 

The growing number of freelancers, entrepreneurs and startups means that there’s a continuous demand for coworking spaces in Bristol. These spaces are thriving and diverse, offering people the opportunity to meet and socialise with all number of other professionals and perhaps forming long-term relationships or even collaborations. For many homeworkers, it’s also a way to break free of the home office and get out into a social environment, with the opportunity to make friends as well as network. 

Coworking spaces are already well established in Bristol with new spaces constantly opening up to meet the growing demand of the startup economy. Let’s look at some of the best in the city:

1. Engine Shed

Location: Station Approach, Bristol

There were great plans for the Engine Shed from the start, and it turned out to be a very successful collaboration between Bristol City, the University of Bristol, and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Located in the iconic Brunel’s Bristol station next to Bristol Temple Meads, it’s a thriving enterprise hub poised right where most of the action is, and its clients include major names such as TechSPARK and Bristol SETsquared, with emphasis on creativity, technology, and sustainability. Both individuals and small teams are welcome here. Amenities include meeting rooms, a wide seminar space, reception venues, and a membership-only business lounge, complete with options for catering. In line with its goal of making a positive social and economic impact, part of its profits are invested in growth and inclusion projects for the region. 

2. Desklodge

Location: 1 Temple Way, Bristol 

The Evening Post building is a historic building that’s well-known across Bristol, and this is where you’ll find Desklodge. With two storeys worth of private offices and single desks, it’s a standout even from other coworking spaces because of its fun and quirky design. While much of its setup remains classic—wooden tables with swiveling chairs—it doesn’t shy away from the unconventional with touches such as a log cabin with stained glass windows, a Doctor Who phone box that leads to a no-meeting space and lego-lined walls. 

Staying here the whole day is all too easy, given the lightning-fast wi-fi and a common kitchen stocked with free tea and coffee. Incidentally, this isn’t the only Desklodge in Bristol--there’s another branch at Temple Meads.  

3. Pithay Studios

Location: All Saints Street, Bristol

Pithay Studios is a sprawling eight-storey building that consists mostly of offices. Go around the rear, and you’ll spot Pithay Studios right away, thanks to its pop of color, playful design, and well-lit, cozy-looking interiors visible through the glass. Around a hundred people work inside on a given day, ranging from charities and producers to developers and designers. Imbued with a casual ambience that fosters collaboration and community, it offers various-sized office and studio spaces for your needs as well as meeting rooms. You can sweat it out at the gym or dance studio or—alternatively—hang out at the on-site café.  

4. Runway East

Location: 1 Victoria Street, Bristol

Runway East has already built three popular coworking spaces in London with more than 1000 members in total, but for their fourth, they branched out to Bristol. This was a strategic move, given Bristol’s strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, and it paid off. Their Bristol space comes with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river and Castle Park, making for a stunning view. Aside from desks and private offices, there’s also a main lounge, roof terrace, and café hub where you can grab some food. Free coffee abounds, and you can unwind a bit on a swing or even play table tennis. To meet your social needs, they hold regular events and weekly drinks that have sparked plenty of collaborations and serendipitous connections.   

5. Redbrick House

Location: 6 York Court, Wilder St, Bristol

Redbrick House is a not-for-profit coworking space that’s run by PAPER Arts, a social enterprise that’s all about helping young creatives find their footing in the career and business world. Part of their profit goes towards internships, training courses, and mentoring, and by coworking here, you’ll be contributing to their efforts. Its three-storey space includes large training areas and meeting rooms, and perks include unlimited coffee, tea, and fresh fruit. Redbrick House excels at maintaining a strong, inclusive community, with plenty of events to bring people together: weekly cake and coffee sessions, regular workshops, and even pub outings. Fields of expertise vary widely from writing and coding to media and furniture, so it’s the setting for spark ideas and ventures. 

Bristol can lay claim to more than 20 coworking spaces, each with its own distinct ambience, amenities and crowd but the city’s collaborative working environments are constantly being developed. The impact of this coworking revolution goes beyond simply getting people to connect—coworking spaces can encourage entrepreneurship and give business and innovation in the area a huge boost, and this will only become more pronounced as the digital economy strengthens. 

Bristol is leading the way in coworking and is an absolutely excellent place to live and work in, so regardless of any tricky economic waters ahead, Bristol is likely to continue being on top in this area.   

About the Author

Alice Palmer Brown is marketing manager at Meanwhile Creative, who manage coworking office spaces in Bristol, Cardiff and Manchester. 

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If you’re starting out and looking for work space which is flexible yet affordable, it would be worth taking a look at the serviced office space run by Business West too.