Creating a special buzz

By Ged Henderson

13 Jun 2022

landmark-coworking.jpg

Lancashire’s creative hubs are thriving as the sector emerges from the shackles of Covid and the impact of the pandemic.

Shared workspaces are seen as critical in bringing together innovators and creatives to use digital technology to scale and to attract talent.

Co-working spaces such as The Landmark in Burnley, Strawberry Fields in Chorley and Lancaster’s Fraser House are coming into their own – sparking inspiration and building communities and bring together like-minded people.

Dan Knowles, digital community developer, has played a key role in the growth of Fraser House. He believes there is a need for hubs like this in all Lancashire’s city and town centres.

He says: “We’re seeing at Fraser House a whole range of businesses, including start-ups and early-stage enterprises. There’s a real mix of innovation.”

Dan believes the idea of co-working spaces and hubs is being driven by the creative and digital sectors.

He says: “Places that are starting to attract some really interesting and exciting businesses. One of the strengths is the beautiful partnerships that can emerge just out of conversation in these spaces.

“It is absolutely critical now as we look towards the next stage of digital evolution in the county that we look at the real estate footprint for businesses.

“A lot of towns have received Town Deal funding to reimagine and reopen their centres.

“As part of that they are looking at how they can reimagine spaces to bring them into use and support economic development.

“I hope they will look at how to create really exciting, shared workspaces in these areas. Every town and city in Lancashire should have a digital creative hub. “When we look at how we compete with big urban regions and cement our place in the Northern Powerhouse, we need to identify ways of networking.

“For me it is critical that smaller regional towns and cities have hubs and that we find a way to build these networks.”

He adds: “Another challenge we have is finding the space for these businesses to grow, to prevent them leaving for Manchester. Businesses can grow quickly.”

The Landmark is a thriving business hub in the heart of Burnley town centre offering flexible workspaces.

General manager Claire Rhodes describes it as a “friendly and inclusive network of small businesses, freelancers, remote workers and more.”

Through a partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, local initiatives and organisations and an onsite team, members have access to business support, free training, and services. The hub is also beginning a collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

There are also regular social events for those 100 members, who range from digital website companies to legal firms and accountants.

Claire says: “From day one the aim has been to bring people together. We’ve got an eclectic group of people and businesses. It is really nice to see that kind of working place, a really good array of people.

“We’re creating this community, creating this network and encouraging innovation with likeminded people all within one building.”

Paul Sparkes runs his own freelance video production business from The Landmark. He has an international client base and since the pandemic began has seen an increasing demand for his editing skills.

Paul says: “Working at the Landmark is a great way to meet with other creatives. Just being around other like-minded people in a comfortable environment helps.

“You feel energised every time you go into the building, and you get a lot of work done.”

Digital agency Bespoke is based at Strawberry Fields in Chorley. The high-tech business centre offers collaborative office space, hot desks, pods and meeting spaces.

Bespoke chief executive Steve Brennan says: “Moving into Strawberry Fields after Covid is an opportunity to entirely reboot the way we use the office and how we work there.

“The 9-5, for a start, is basically out of the window. Rather than being a place that our team have to come, we see the office as something that we provide for our team to use as they best see fit and to achieve the best results.

“We have found that Strawberry Fields actually fits that ethos even better than our old offices. While we have our dedicated space, there is also plenty of opportunity to mix with other companies in the breakout communal areas. That gives the place a real buzz, which also banishes the idea of being ‘tied to the office’.

“Moving forwards, we see the office now as somewhere new, vibrant and rich with new opportunities and increased productivity benefits, where work is a happy place to be, which I think bodes well for the future.”

Ed Matthews-Gentle, of Creative Lancashire, says successful hubs such as Society One in Preston city centre are more than workplaces with strong community sides to them. At their heart is the encouragement of collaboration and he adds: “People find connections where connections aren’t obvious.”

He predicts a growth in co-working and agile spaces and believes that hubs should be ‘eco-systems’ offering support and access to skills through partnership working with establishments such as universities.

Ed adds: “Creativity is now across all sectors, including manufacturing and engineering.

“The sector in Lancashire is part of a supply chain of talent that supports the bigger North West creative eco-system. It’s not about competing but better considering how the dynamic works.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

2

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

3

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

4

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker Joan Casals, Max McFarlane and Chris Pateman

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker

09 Jul 2025

5

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project Rebecca Latham, Gemma Cornwall and Ross Cornwall

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project

09 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin