Manchester’s coolest coworking space – which comes with a Michelin-trained chef in the cafe – has a beautiful new office space up for grabs that offers the best of both worlds.
Use.Space’s brand new office within its building near Piccadilly is the perfect size for a small local business looking to take that little step up from hot-desking.
The space has room for six staff and is decorated in sunny yellow, with designer wallpaper and tonnes of natural light.
And while it comes with a door you can actually shut for some privacy, it’s right in the heart of Use.Space’s creative hub.
Other spaces in Use.Space’s Manchester office. Credit: The Manc Group
That means that you have access to all the facilities on offer, from the cafe (with food from Michelin-trained chef Laurie Curtis, of Manchester Pasta Co) to the Business Support Programme, where you can speak to experts in all sorts of industries for advice and guidance – while still having the peace and quiet and dedicated space needed to run a business.
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The dog-friendly building, just an eight minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly (but with free car parking for those who drive), is broken down into hot desks, private offices, event space, meeting rooms and breakout areas.
The private office space that’s up for grabs at Use.Space. Credit: Supplied
Beyond the six-seater private office set slightly back from the buzz of the coworking space, the spaces at Use.Space include the Mindful Green Room (with a meeting space inside an indoor greenhouse), the Meet-Up Cafe filled with colourful furnishings and plants, and even a ‘Garden of Wonderland’ outdoor space.
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Use.Space was founded in 2019 by Manchester entrepreneur David Walter, who wanted to create a coworking space that was also a community, a hub of information and a business network.
He said of the private office that’s up for rent: “The best of both worlds for you and your team, a stylish private office, in the heart of a thriving coworking community.
“Close your door and you have your own private and well-appointed office for six, with free car parking included. Open your door and you enter an inspirational coworking space with an active business community of SME’s, start-ups and freelancers and access to meeting rooms, breakout spaces, cafe area and kitchen facilities.”
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There’s a choice of memberships available. For more information contact Community Manager Archie Hyndman, email [email protected], call 07712 177701, or visit usespace.co.uk.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Business
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Business
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
Daisy Jackson -
13th January 2023 
