It sounds absurd to start a business in the middle of Covid-19 right?
Well… not for David Brown in Queen’s Park. David saw a need arise from many of his neighbours, who like him, needed a place to work nearby amid the outbreak of the virus.
In a recent podcast, David introduced GOOD SPACE, as a work club, differing slightly from a traditional coworking space. They offer a shared space where everyone can work together, but separately on their separate things as a community – a club of the neighbourhood and for the neighbourhood, as termed on their website.
Work Club for the Neighbourhood.
In a recent podcast, David introduced GOOD SPACE, as a work club, differing slightly from a traditional coworking space. They offer a shared space where everyone can work together, but separately on their separate things as a community – a club of the neighbourhood and for the neighbourhood, as termed on their website.
Opening their doors for the first time on June 15th 2020, GOOD SPACE was signing new members in their first week of opening and this trend is still continuing.
People are feeling that they need a break from their home environment or their noisy neighbours. They need safe human interaction, motivation and some small amount of normalcy in their lives.
Opening their doors for the first time on June 15th 2020, GOOD SPACE was signing new members in their first week of opening and this trend is still continuing.
People are feeling that they need a break from their home environment or their noisy neighbours. They need safe human interaction, motivation and some small amount of normalcy in their lives.
GOOD SPACE has its doors open, an A-frame board outside and an energy that draws people to pop their heads into the environment. Curious passer-by’s enter thinking it may be a restaurant or coffee shop, and when they get to experience and see it for themselves the concept of clubbing together as a community, sparks an excitement within them.
Simple marketing, in the form of that A-frame board, flyers, targeted social media advertising, and being discoverable on Google Maps has also been used. But, critically the people right on their doorstep has made a huge impact on the success of GOOD SPACE.
Opening in COVID
Operating under Covid-19 measures hasn’t been challenging for David and his community. Hand sanitizing sprays have been supplied, plenty of fresh air, a routine wipe down of frequently touched surfaces, two-meter spacing and social distancing are all playing a role in creating a safe environment. It is here where neighbours develop local relationships and build a culture of sharing and working.
The split sits at about 50% traditional freelancer, self-employed, and very small business members, while the other half are from larger firms or major corporations that are working remotely, either because that has always been the case or because they have now suddenly become remote. But, the trend of remote working is looking more favourable with both workers and employees according to polls and studies being done.
The split sits at about 50% traditional freelancer, self-employed, and very small business members, while the other half are from larger firms or major corporations that are working remotely, either because that has always been the case or because they have now suddenly become remote. But, the trend of remote working is looking more favourable with both workers and employees according to polls and studies being done.
A Community for the Community
We are excited to see how these local neighbourhood hubs are coming to life as more and more people are trading the crowded tube and manic commutes for a brisk walk to their nearest coworking space.
The idea of the 15-minute City — a design that includes all work, health, education and lifestyle facilities within a walk or biking distance, is a philosophy we are all too familiar with, and one that we will be exploring on September 21st at 1 PM.
Laëtitia Vitaud from Welcome to the Jungle and Antonin Yuji Maeno from Cutwork Studio will lead this free webinar, and we hope to see you and your neighbour at this interactive discussion where we talk the #FutureofWorkandLife in the 15-minute City, and more about the trend on local coworking.
Book now!