With global connectivity, a surplus of high-quality talent, and a thriving digital ecosystem (the city was named the UK’s Top Digital Tech City in 2020), Manchester is the heart of the Northern Powerhouse, and a great place from which to launch a business. It’s the UK’s “entrepreneur capital,” according to research from O2, while a recent report from the Financial Times has confirmed that the city is one of the best business locations in the UK.
Of course, with its low cost of living (relative to other major UK cities like London), large population of STEM graduates, vibrant and collaborative business community, and high concentration of venture capital, Manchester is also emerging as one of the country’s most friendly areas for start-ups and new businesses. On a global scale, it’s the 9th ranked emerging ecosystem for start-ups. And where there’s a blossoming start-up scene, there’s a need for flexible coworking spaces.
In Manchester, flexible office spaces grew by 350% between 2014 and 2019, outstripping London by 140%. But with so many options to consider, it can be difficult to know which affordable coworking space is right for your start-up’s needs. Fortunately, WeWork is making flexible office space available to all Manchester entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses, for a shared creative space that inspires your best work. Let’s take a look at four of our favourite shared office spaces in Manchester.
WeWork No. 1 Spinningfields
Nearby transit: Salford Central Station, Deansgate Station, Manchester Oxford Road Station
Location: Quay Street Manchester, MAN M3 3JE
A truly eye-catching piece of architecture, WeWork No. 1 Spinningfields is a location any business would be proud to call home. Offering coworking spaces and private offices for teams of all sizes in the heart of the city’s business district, this location covers three floors with modern shared workspace. Work how you see fit, with break out areas, work booths and communal tables all available.
Close to the Science and Industry Museum, People’s History Museum and The Bridgewater Hall for those all-important off-site days, the stations of Deansgate, Manchester Oxford Road and Salford Central are in walking distance. The tram stop of St Peter’s Square adds to this location’s accessibility and a tantalising selection of bars and restaurants will ensure lunch time is never boring.
WeWork One St Peter’s Square
Nearby transit: Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Deansgate 10 minutes by foot, Manchester Piccadilly 15 mins by foot.
Location: 1 St Peter’s Square Manchester, MAN M2 3DE
A neighbour to Spinningfields, WeWork One St Peter’s Square offers fourteen floors of coworking space possibilities. Pet friendly, your four-legged colleagues are sure to enjoy the bright, modern open-plan communal areas. Take a moment to yourself in the wellness room or join a call in the bright and spacious conference rooms.
Bike storage and parking is available and the St Peter’s Square metro stop is right outside the door. Manchester, Deansgate and Manchester Oxford Road are both easily reached on foot, as is a wealth of eateries and cultural landmarks of the city.
WeWork The Hanover Building
Nearby transit: Transpennine Express & Northern Lines at Manchester Victoria Station (3-minute walk)
Location: Corporation Street Manchester, MAN M4 4AH
An elegant front hides a sleek, modern interior at WeWork The Hanover Building, located on Corporation Street in central Manchester. Filled with light and plenty of creativity, this shared office space is sure to leave a good impression. Open plan communal areas and plenty of amenities such as showers, wellness rooms, a mother’s room, bike storage and games areas will keep your team happy and motivated.
With easy access from the airport for international visitors and moments from Manchester Victoria Station and Manchester Piccadilly, your colleagues and business guests will love this central location, with food, drink and entertainment all within easy reach.
WeWork Dalton Place
Nearby transit: St Peters Square Metro Link (6-minute walk) | Manchester Piccadilly Station (15-minute walk)
Location: John Dalton Street Manchester, MAN M2 6DS
With five of the six floors of WeWork Dalton Place being dedicated shared office space, you’ll have more than enough room to stretch your creative legs and get those ideas off the ground. Beautifully bright thanks to plenty of natural light, you can take a step away from it all on the outside terrace and take in breath-taking views of the city.
Manchester Piccadilly and St Peter’s Square Metro Link keep this shared workspace well connected, so none of your team will have to face a horrible commute. An amazing central location makes food and drink easy to find, whether you’re on lunch or looking to treat the team to a night out. Plus, with the Manchester Arndale in easy reach, your pay day after-work shopping trips are sorted.
Unlock your team’s very best potential by setting up in Manchester’s best coworking spaces. With truly incredible interiors, locations and amenities, there’s nothing to stop you doing your very best work.