Flexible coworking space to open in Preston city centre

Real estate investor and developer Branco Capital has appointed OneCoWork to run a new coworking space at Winckley Square in Preston.

33-34 Winckley Square will be the first UK site operated by OneCoWork, which currently runs three sites in Barcelona.

The managed and flexible office hub is set to open in April and will provide more than 500 desks for individuals, teams and businesses.

Having acquired the 32,000 sq ft office building in July 2022 following Capita being a tenant for 25 years, Branco Capital plans a first phase of more than 300 desks alongside 4,000 sq ft of communal space, meeting rooms, event and conference spaces, a gym and kitchens.

Joshua Senior, director at Branco Capital, said: “OneCoWork share our ethos of creating communities and making a positive economic impact where they’re based, making them the ideal operator of Winckley Square.

“A multi-million-pound regeneration programme and outstanding location with excellent transport links, means Preston is powering ahead and proving to be an increasingly attractive place for ambitious people and fast-growing businesses.

“A lack of new office space in Preston means Winckley Square will greatly enhance and expand the amount of such space in central Preston, breathing new life into the building and attracting more people to the city centre.”

Ben Nachoom, CEO of OneCoWork, added: "Compared to other cities that have a more developed coworking market, Preston provides us with an opportunity to make a significant impact on the local entrepreneurial and business community.

“Flexible workspaces play a pivotal role in revitalising urban centres. They are more than just shared offices; they are incubators for collaboration, innovation, and community building. In secondary cities across the north of England, coworking spaces like ours serve as catalysts for economic development, offering a unique blend of flexibility, networking opportunities, and access to a diverse talent pool.”

33-34 Winckley Square represents the latest property development for Branco Capital in Preston - alongside the recent launch of 14 luxury apartments with communal library and yoga studio at Park Place, Chapel Street and planning permission being granted by the city council for 35 new-build apartments with gym, coworking space and terrace at a seven-storey building on Mount Street.