Connect Derby, the city’s primary managed workspace provider, is expanding its offering with the launch of new fully furnished Covid-secure office accommodation at its Friar Gate Studios headquarters.

The building on Ford Street, which was launched in 2007, has furnished nine of its offices, which will be available to rent on a short-term basis of up to six-months.

The move comes as a result of the changing working environment since the advent of the pandemic and the increasing demand from prospective tenants for a more flexible, short-term letting arrangement as they reassess the impact that Covid-19 has had on their business.

The introduction of furnished office accommodation provides flexibility for those businesses who may want to return to office premises after working from home while they consider their options - or new start-ups looking for a home for their business without the additional expenditure and effort of having to furnish it themselves.

The offices, which range in size from 282 sq. ft to 442 sq. ft, are equipped with desks, chairs, and storage units, along with phone lines, high-speed broadband, and sundry items, including tea and coffee making facilities and waste bins.

Some offices also have their own breakfast bar and bar stools, sofas, tub chairs, coffee tables, plants and artwork frames.

Tenants taking furnished offices at Friar Gate Studios can also take advantage of a range of other services and facilities, including an on-site café, business support and mentoring, plus the use of Covid secure meeting rooms.

When their initial six-month tenancy at Friar Gate Studios comes to an end, tenants will be given the opportunity to take a permanent office space at any of Connect Derby’s workspaces across the city.

There has already been strong interest in the covid compliant furnished offices, with one office already let and several others currently in negotiations before formal marketing commenced.

Following a relaxation of rules at the beginning of 2020, Friar Gate Studios has become a hub for creative and non-creative businesses, with tenants ranging from VR animation and radio voiceover companies to financial planning and digital recruitment consultants.

Back in June 2020, Connect Derby was the first building in Derby to open following a robust COVID-19 risk assessment carried out by Derby City Council. The Council’s Health & Safety team awarded the managed workspace a score of 92% and a rating of ‘Outstanding.’

A range of safety measures have been put in place to ensure all Connect Derby buildings are Covid compliant. This includes the introduction of a one-way system, Perspex screens, extra hand-washing facilities, and social distancing signage.

Commenting on the launch of new furnished office accommodation at Friar Gate Studios, Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, said:

Friar Gate Studios has been the hub for Derby’s thriving business sector for almost 14 years. We have created a wonderful working environment for tenants in the creative industries and most recently in the supply chain to the creative sector.

By offering new Covid-secure furnished offices on a short-term basis, we hope we can encourage more people back into the city centre now lockdown restrictions are being lifted and support the Derby Economic Recovery Task Force in their bid to kick-start the city’s economy.

We look forward to welcoming new businesses to Friar Gate Studios and providing them with the support they need to help their business flourish.

The arrival of Friar Gate Studios to Derby in 2007 laid the foundations for what has become a hugely successful managed workspace sector in the city. The Studios comprise 41 modern offices ranging in size from 275 ft2 to 1190 ft2, with meeting and seminar rooms and the award-winning Bean Caffé.

Friar Gate Studios is one of seven buildings within the diverse Connect Derby portfolio alongside Sadler Bridge Studios, Riverside Chambers Marble Hall, Kings Chambers, Shot Tower and the iHub innovation centre on Infinity Park.

The scheme provides micro businesses, entrepreneurs and SMEs with the high specification working environment, IT infrastructure and business support they need to grow. Tenants enjoy superfast broadband, meeting rooms equipped with AV equipment, and 24/7 access.

Details of available furnished offices can be found at connectderby.co.uk. For further information, contact Sonia Kang on info@connectderby.co.uk