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
‘Provocative’ life insurance firm hit with advertising restrictions after using Harold Shipman picture
Emily Sergeant
A life insurance company that controversially used a picture of Harold Shipman in a recent advertisement is to have all of its future marketing campaigns restricted.
Leicester-based firm DeadHappy – which is known for its strapline ‘life insurance to die for’, and has a reputation for shocking adverts – grabbed headlines last week after it used a picture of the infamous Manchester serial killer alongside the text “Life insurance: Because you never know who your doctor might be.”
The use of Shipman’s picture understandably received a barrage of backlash online, and was consistently branded “tasteless” and “disgusting” by critics.
The advert was even condemned by the families of some of Shipman’s victims.
A “popular” and “well-liked” local doctor, Shipman had been practising in Hyde for over 20 years, but went on to become Britain’s most prolific serial killer after doubts were raised over the validity of the will left by one of his patients following her death in 1998.
Shipman was eventually found guilty of killing 15 of his patients back in 2000, with his total number of victims said to be around 250.
Life insurance firm used picture of Manchester serial killer Harold Shipman in ‘disgusting’ advert / Credit: DeadHappy
After the advert continued to draw backlash, and a number of formal complaints were made by industry professionals, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – which is responsible for regulating the financial services industry – has now ruled that all of DeadHappy’s future adverts and marketing campaigns must be cleared by its risk carrier before being allowed to run, according to BBC News.
The FCA now states that the company “must cease to communicate any further financial promotions that have not received prior approval”, which means future adverts will need to be cleared by DeadHappy’s insurance provider, Shepherds Friendly.
On top of being hit with these restrictions, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has also said it is currently in the process of reviewing more than 50 complaints about the Harold Shipman advert.
DeadHappy has now apologised for the advert.
Addressing the FCA’s ruling, Andy Knott – founder of DeadHappy – said: “In our attempt to be provocative and make people really stop and think about their need for life insurance, we have made a mistake and for this we apologise.
“We will now go away and immediately review all of our current and future marketing campaigns to ensure we learn from this mistake.”
Shepherds Friendly says it is “committed” to its values and the advert “does not align” with them.
“Following the FCA’s restriction on DeadHappy’s activities, we are ensuring those requirements are complied with,” a Shepherds Friendly spokesperson concluded.
Featured Image – BBC
Business
New images give sneak peak at £210m redevelopment plans for ‘eyesore’ Manchester hotel
Emily Sergeant
New images giving a sneak peak at impressive £210 million plans to redevelop a Manchester city centre hotel once branded an “eyesore” have been released.
The former Renaissance Hotel is undoubtedly one of the most divisive buildings on Deansgate, was notably once labelled an “eyesore”, and had been facing demolition since 2018 – but plans were eventually unveiled to redevelop it into a part-office, part-hotel, and part-residential complex a few years back.
The brutalist structure is set for a whopping £210 million makeover, which is being overseen by Property Alliance Group and Starwood Capital.
Developers have now released a handful of new images showing what the new offices will look like.
New images give sneak peak at £210m redevelopment plans for ‘eyesore’ Manchester hotel / Credit: Property Alliance Group
According to redevelopment plans, the offices within the building will be spread over four floors and be around 36,000 sq ft in size.
With work expected to begin on the building by the end of next month, plans also show that there will be a communal roof terrace, a wellbeing studio, bike store, and showers with changing rooms, as well as flexible office space.
Speaking on the redevelopment plans, Alex Russell – CEO at Property Alliance Group – said the project is as “important” to the company as it is to the city of Manchester.
“It demands best-in-class for design and amenities to maximise its riverside location [and] we cannot wait to relaunch this vibrant and engaging destination for the city’s residents and visitors.”
Will Lewis, who is the founder of OBI, which is the company that’s been tasked with “bringing the commercial space to market” added that he wants to see both large and small companies rent office space within the building once redevelopment is complete.
“New build office development of this nature is unique, as it enables both large corporates seeking a self-contained HQ and SMEs to take space on a floor-by-floor basis,” he explained.
“The building will boast an array of high-quality amenities including a vibrant ground floor coffee offering, wellbeing space and a stunning roof terrace and pavilion.”
Daisy Jackson -
13th January 2023 
