Council support for office space providers helps Patch’s success in its first six months

As entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers increasingly make the switch from working at home to more social workplaces, York is benefiting from additional office space providers investing in the city.

City of York Council’s Economic Growth Team has been instrumental in supporting these moves, from the planning stage to the day-to-day operations once they are open.

Patch York opened six months ago in the riverside Bonding Warehouse building in Skeldergate and is among several workspaces across the city which offer a range of hot-desk, collaborative, private office space and meeting rooms.

Patch is the fifth of a national chain of similar offices and the first in the north of England. It offers a blend of flexible spaces, permanent fixed-desk spaces, private offices and meeting rooms, with a membership scheme now up to 250 people. A further 50 spaces will be created when a huge first floor area is converted later this year.

Thom Feeney, Site Director and Operations North Lead for Patch, said most members had not made the move from elsewhere, but simply from home, with many already living in the area. Most were working in the creative, eco or tech industries, with some self-employed and some remote-working for huge firms like Spotify and Google.

He said: “The phrase I keep hearing is ‘I’ve been looking for a place like this’. It’s a professional space, but still feels cool, interesting, bright.”

Mark Winter, from York, used to work from home, but now has a fixed desk on the first floor and comes into Patch daily. He is a director of a small design agency, Dogeatcog, which has been going for ten years.

Mark said: “The social aspect is probably the best thing about it. There are quite a lot of creative people here and lots of collaboration, I’ve met a lot of new friends!”

Thom said the support from Christine Hogan, Louise Saw and Brian Littlejohn, from the Council’s Economic Growth Team, had been fundamental to the success of the business.

This has ranged from advice before opening to linking up with potential clients who might need meeting or event spaces to making connections with local suppliers – right down to the coffee and tea available to members.

The team continue to support Patch with co-running events, arranging introductions and more, as well as supporting businesses based in the building.

“Louise and Brian and Christine are brilliant at connecting us with people that are trying to make a difference in York – we at Patch want to help the local community,” said Thom.

“I’ve just moved back to York after eight years in Stockholm and impressed by how much is going on in York and the support available. It’s amazing what’s here and what’s available to help people.”

Thom said they had also benefited from links with York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which, like the Economic Growth Team, could offer information about funding opportunities.

Meanwhile, Wizu Workspaces is set to open at East Coast House, further down Skeldergate, later this summer. Its new York base will have private offices for teams of 2 to 100+, a coworking space, meeting rooms with video conferencing, and virtual office packages for businesses of all sizes.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said: “With its excellent transport links, vibrant cultural life and historic core, York is a desirable place for remote workers to live. I’m delighted that City of York Council has been able to support the creation of these new workspaces.

“Places like Patch not only help new businesses link up with existing local suppliers it also enables creative and entrepreneurial people to network and collaborate, sparking new ideas. This creates new business opportunities which leads to investment in the local economy and the wider community. It’s a win win for everyone.”

About City of York Council free business support:

If you would like to find out more about York’s flexible office spaces, or you are looking to move to the city, or to access business support, get in touch with the Economic Growth Team.

City of York Council’s Business Growth Managers provide free, local, tailored support to businesses in York. They help York businesses to grow by connecting them to support, finance and networks.

Email economicgrowth@york.gov.uk to find out more.