Engine Shed’s Boxworks project, which will be made up of 20 shipping containers transformed into custom-designed workplaces, is now under way with the first two ‘boxes’ onsite.
The containers will be converted over the coming weeks to provide much-needed workspace for start-ups and growing businesses in Bristol’s key creative, digital and hi-tech industries.
The Boxworks scheme will offer temporary grow-on space for Engine Shed, which reached full occupancy in its first year and the cluster of businesses and projects wanting to be part of this growing cluster.
Bristol City Council granted planning permission for the development, which forms part of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, in June and the scheme will be ready for occupation in October next year.
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson said: “Engine Shed has been a real success and businesses continue to be attracted to the collaborative and inspiring workspace it offers. There is great demand in the Enterprise Zone for workspace like this for the hi-tech and creative sector and I am really supportive of temporary solutions like Boxworks that will play a key role in meeting this need. I look forward to seeing the contribution this exciting development makes to the Enterprise Zone and the local economy.”
The Bristol SETsquared centre, within Engine Shed, has also had record levels of sustained occupancy and it is envisaged that some of SETsquared’s virtual members will now take space in Boxworks.
Engine Shed is a ground-breaking collaboration between Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol, supported by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Within 12 months of opening it had contributed an additional £7m to Bristol’s economy.
Boxworks is a ‘meanwhile’ project that will run for up to two-and-a-half years. It has been designed, built and will be operated commercially by Forward with services provided by Engine Shed, including access to the iconic Engine Shed Business Lounge, for the expected 120 new occupants of Boxworks.
Entrepreneur and investor Gavin Eddy launched Forward in 2007. Drawing on his experience as an investment banker in London, he wants to pioneer shared workspace for start-ups and early stage businesses in the South West. Gavin is also a SETSquared Business Mentor of the Year.
Forward operates the Old Church School in Frome and the Collar Factory in Taunton, which provide creative and innovative shared workspace for creators, doers and thinkers.
At Boxworks it will work with innovative Bristol and Bath-based design firms ShapeStudio to create an environment for tech and digital SMEs wanting to grow their small teams into a larger space.
Gavin Eddy said: “This development will address part of the shortage of affordable, flexible and curated workspace before the second phase of Engine Shed opens, with funding from the West of England LEP. Engine Shed’s phase 2 is expected to open in late 2017, very close to Engine Shed.
Engine Shed director Nick Sturge said: “We are delighted to have the development coming together so quickly to create this space on land made available by our partners the HCA.
“Only with the continued strong support from our partners – the University of Bristol, Bristol City Council, the LEP and the HCA – can this project be delivered in true entrepreneurial fashion. We have been overwhelmed with growth of the enterprises inside Engine Shed and with interest from other businesses and projects wanting to be a part of the community here and are excited to see the range of companies that will move in.”
Pictured: Computer image of Boxworks
