Following in the footsteps of a number of Tunbridge Wells-based businesses, [e.g. Fuggles and Sankeys] work space provider DeskRenter has launched its latest offering in nearby Tonbridge.
Castle Lodge, in Castle Street, has been furnished to provide 18 individual desk positions across its two floors and includes a fully fitted kitchen and courtyard garden, all to an impressive, high spec finish making this an absolutely idyllic and stylish place to attend.
How and Why?
Key to opening the building was an excellent and ongoing working relationship with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council. As landlords, they could have chosen to refit and let the property themselves, but instead invited DeskRenter in to provide much needed, affordable space for freelancers, start-ups and small businesses in this rapidly growing and developing West Kent business fraternity. At the time of writing, Castle Lodge has been totally revived and modernized offering a popular and modern co-working space to a number of entrepreneurial businesses and individuals.
Beauty Spot
The renovation and refurbishment of the historic lodge, which overlooks the Norman Gatehouse of the picturesque Castle, was a full year in the making and has seen this unique and much-loved building restored to use. The Lodge offers a tranquil, peaceful and attractive location to help focus minds on the business of the day with like-minded individuals.
Major Advantages?
Castle Lodge promotes a collaborative working and co-working environment, where people across different sectors can share ideas and potentially cross-pollinate to the benefit of businesses, individuals and the common good. It is the fifth building opened in the last three years by DeskRenter, who currently manage 120 desk spaces across the neighbouring towns of Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells, with intentions to roll out the business model deeper in to the county. West Kent, in particular, has proven to be rich in small, entrepreneurial businesses in need of moving up a step in terms of office space, facilities and staff numbers.
Why co-working?
Unlike traditional serviced office suites that can prove to be prohibitively expensive, Castle Lodge offers co-working and/or shared space. This reduces costs considerably allowing part-time hot-desking from just £99 per month, and full-use fixed desks for only £195 per month. Also, unlike serviced offices, the fees cover bills including high-speed internet access, water, electricity and liquid beverages. Agreement terms are based on a very reasonable 30-day period.
Simon McArdle, Managing Director of DeskRenter said, “It’s been a real pleasure to re-open this beautiful building and I’m personally very grateful to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for both the opportunity and for their support at all levels throughout.”
Origins
The House co-working space in the centre of Tunbridge Wells was launched in 2017 by Workplace Collaborations in conjunction with Kent County and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s, to support local creative sector businesses; the aim being to help new businesses to start up and existing companies to develop and grow through closer working.
Where
The House is located in Monson Road in central Tunbridge Wells offering a shared workplace with over 2,000 square feet of office space, as well as meeting rooms and venue space. Open for three years, it has proved both popular and successful, with over 1000 participants attending free events since its inception.
Skills
Housemate’s now represent a gamut of various industry, including, web developers, graphic and software designers, architects, writers, on- and offline marketers, videographers, photographers, artists and Virtual Reality creators, to name but a few.
Writer and housemate, Keith Palmer, after a number of years out of the commercial market, says, ”This concept re-integrated me back in to the business world minus the need to traipse around a drastically different recruitment scene. It inspires me on a daily basis to learn skills that may not have been on offer elsewhere. A superb place to visit, I can now concentrate on improving skills, whereas my only previous option was to leave the town altogether in search of further opportunity. The House is nothing less than a welcomed Godsend.”
