Blog 1 - Welcome to Creative Centre
Our first blog post, introducing Creative Centre, the why and a bit about the founder
Richard Newell (Perception Copywriting)
4/25/20245 min read
Welcome to Creative Centre – Workspace with a Personal Touch
Are you full of ideas but have nowhere to put them? It's a common problem for most creatives. Having a concept is one thing. But finding the space to build your vision is a whole new challenge.
Creative Centre brings a fresh take. Our bespoke, individual units offer an alternative, affordable, flexible approach where collaboration and community thrive.
Who do we want to help?
Working from home and for yourself is great. But it can get lonely and there are days when your creativity just isn’t flowing. And let’s face it, space gets tight when you’re making something physical.
We want to help small businesses, freelancers, engineers, designers, artists, and writers find the perfect environment to flourish. Whether it’s a studio, workshop, “man cave”, unit, garage, workroom, or atelier, we want to give you a workspace that’s fun and relaxed.
But it’s not just about renting out affordable space so you can paint that picture or mould that sculpture. We want to build a community where members can socialise, learn new skills, brainstorm, help and promote each other.
Did you know that 89% of shared workspace members feel happier after joining? Being able to network, collaborate, and share ideas stimulates creativity. Sometimes a fresh perspective is needed, so what better place to get it?
We also want to give members greater accessibility to their target audiences via our social media channels. Everything from Instagram posts to YouTube videos. You can even promote and sell your goods on our online store and in-person monthly market.
This isn’t just another workspace. It’s a movement.
What problems do we want to solve?
Did you know that 47% of remote workers sometimes feel isolated and lonely? Working by yourself has its benefits, but it shouldn’t be to the cost of your wellbeing. We don’t just want to give you the tools for the job. We want you to have a sense of belonging. A support network where you can reach out whenever you need to.
Many people simply don’t have the money to spend on a separate workspace. We want our facilities to be accessible and affordable to all. Cost should not get in the way of creativity.
Did you know that 69% of remote workers suffer burnout? Working from home means it’s easy to lose track of time, especially when you love what you do. You look at the clock and it says 4:30pm. Half an hour later, you look again and it’s somehow 9pm. It’s hard to separate your personal and professional life when it’s in the same space. And it’s easy to get tired when there’s no change of scenery. We can do this for you… literally.
Location is our greatest challenge. We want Creative Centre to be accessible to as many people as possible. This means a central base that’s near transport links. But keeping costs down means compromise. We’re currently gathering data through surveys and networking to establish the best place to be. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please follow this link. Your feedback will be a great help.
How are we going to do it?
Ambition is only achieved through hard work. A lot’s been going on behind the scenes and we’ve put together a 5-stage plan.
1. Digital services
Our online store will be the perfect place for members to advertise their services and list products. But how is this different from all the other digital shop fronts? Our platform will take visitors into a virtual store layout. The simulation will allow them to look around as if they were in the shop. If they see something they like, they can click on it to be taken to the listings. They’ll also get the chance to interact with the vendor (could be you).
2. Fundraising
We’re in the process of setting up several revenue streams through crowdfunding, donations, merchandise, profits from digital store sales, and private investment. Community is at the heart of what we’re doing so we want our creatives to play an active role in raising funds. If you’d like to be part of our journey and help us with our financial targets, please check out our fundraising page.
3. Physical market
The next stage will be to evolve the digital store into an in-person market. This will give members the exposure they need to sell goods, interact with customers, and build followings. Some people just like to do things face-to-face. It’s a great way to reach a new target audience whilst maintaining your online presence.
4. Physical workspace
This is the big one. Creative Centre’s HQ. Once the location has been decided, we can get to work… have you done that survey yet? Here’s the link again (just in case). Our aim is to section the premises into individual units that will cater to a wide range of creative needs. A central hub will give members the opportunity to socialise, network, grab a coffee, take time out, or show off their work.
5. Growth and development
Did you know that 69% of members have learned new skills in a co-working space? We don’t want to be the exception on this. When we’re up and running, we’ll invest in equipment, tools, and software to help members further hone their crafts. We’ll also put on training courses for people who want to learn something completely new.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Our journey so far. We aim to secure the premises in Autumn 2024 and open the doors to our members in Spring 2025.
But we can’t do this without support, feedback, and good old-fashioned word of mouth. If you want to be part of our growing community or think you can help in any way, give us a shout.
About me
As a kid, I always wanted to know how things worked. My favourite toys were Lego, Meccano, and Knex (they still are). My family indulged my interest. Mum even let me set up workshops in the garage and at the bottom of the garden.
My neighbour Ryan shared my passion. We built motorised scooters, zip lines, and bike trailers – amongst other things. We also had an ex-toolmaker called John living nearby who made clocks and traction engines. I was a frequent guest in his workshop.
I met my biggest influence when I had work experience with George, who showed me how to make traditional lights for pubs. I then went on to do a model-making apprenticeship at JLR where I met Ricky (another key player in my story).
As an engineer, I’ve worked for many businesses across multiple sectors. I’ve met some great colleagues and inspirational managers (especially Dave). Through it all, I’ve learned so much about product design and manufacturing, and loved it all.
Why am I doing this?
I always knew I wanted to work for myself in my own workshop. My work experience has given me invaluable knowledge and a strong foundation. But I decided now was the time to move on and go it alone.
Creative Centre gives me the starting point I need to realise my dream. But more importantly, it’ll give other creatives the same opportunity.
Flexible, affordable workspace with a fantastic community is at the heart of what we want to do. Together we can collaborate, generate business, and make cool things.
Cheers,
Dan, Founder