UOE launches co-working in Hertford

1 Jul 2016

Small businesses in Hertford will soon have a new, flexible space in which they can work.

The UOE Hub in Maidenhead Street will, uniquely, provide 24/7 office access for small business owners, freelancers and consultants.

Managing director Elliot Jacobs explained the reason behind the concept: “We wanted to create an exciting, collaborative working space which will provide a lively atmosphere where people can do business, network, support each other and feed off each other’s energy.

“The Hub is part of our commitment to Hertford business. It’s all about flexibility and working around the needs of small business owners, which is why it’s open 24/7 and is available for as long or short a time as they need.

“For instance, it’s possible that ‘mumpreneurs’ will need a quiet space to work during the school holidays and they’d be welcome to hire a desk at the Hub for just three or four weeks over the summer.”

Providing space at an extremely competitive rate is a huge part of the projected success of the Hub.

“I want it to be full and busy all the time, and because it’s part of our retail store and the post office, we can afford to keep our profits low.

“In fact, we’ll be reinvesting our profits back into the Hub to make it even more successful.

“It currently takes up the first floor of the building, but we have a second floor which we hope to refurbish and open in the near future.”

The old McDonald’s building, which had been left derelict for ten years, has been completely refurbished – the staircase is the only original feature left.

The Hub has been designed as a bespoke working space that will give people the tools to get work done – including a table tennis table for those much-needed breaks.

Members can rent a small office, dedicated desks, hot desks and the meeting room will be available by the hour.

They will also get a 20 per cent discount on meeting room hire, stationery, business services, such as printing and copying, and the café.

Non-members will be able to rent the meeting room and hot desks by the hour, but only during store opening times.

Steve Brown, who runs his own consultancy, Water Energy Nexus, has already moved in and is enthusiastic about the Hub’s benefits. “It’s great to be able to work in the centre of Hertford. Freelancing works for me, but it can sometimes get quite lonely.

“I’ve also got a young family, so it’s important that I separate work from my home life.

“The office is only a ten-minute walk from my home and is convenient for both stations, which really helps when I have a meeting in London, or when clients need to visit me here.”

Steve also has an eye on the future. “I chose the Hub because I’ve got plans for expansion – its flexibility means there’ll always be enough desk space for any freelancers I need to bring in, without it involving huge risks financially for me.”

The launch event will be at the Hub on Wednesday, July 20.