In the continuing saga that is Belfast Co-Working (.com registered!) I thought it might be worth mentioning that we’re now at the viewing property stage. After identifying Botanic as potentially the best location for the co-working space - given its proximity to a plethora of cafes and bars as well as the city center - I took a look around and make some calls regarding office space in the area. Which led to me coming across this …

1900sqft. (approx. 10-12 desks)
£16,000 p.a. (£1600p.a each - £133p.m per desk)
Above Alliance & Leister - Bradbury Place.
Refurbishment pending lease. Available immediately.

In the interest of full disclosure, I also called about a 795sqft office above Ginger Tree on Donegall Pass (good location, newly refurbished but too small) and a 1560sqft space above Starbucks on Botanic (already agreed). We have a viewing arranged for 9.30am on Monday morning (any interested parties are welcome to attend!) so expect Flickr updates around 10am.

Okay, I’m going to assume most of you know I “freelance” - and I’m also going to presume that that has led you to believe I mostly work from home (those of you who know me better would answer Charlies and be correct). The office life, believe it or not, has a few qualities desirable to me. There’s a lot to be said about the motivation inherent in having a location to commute to, standard office hours, and a change of scenery. Making your home your office lacks the disconnect that a workplace provides - motivation to get out of bed, not be constantly scoffing Chocolate Digestives and also being able to mentally associate that location with work, and your home with play.

A co-working space - which is basically shared office space for freelance-types - has been on the cards for some time here here in Belfast. About a week ago, Dave brain-dumped everything thats happened in relation to the space on his blog, with the next vital step being the search for a viable location. Yesterday, I took a walk around South Belfast, the City Centre and the Cathedral Quarter to get an idea of available properties and see if there would be anything worth looking into.

One location that did hit me from the dozens I spotted was located on Hill St in the Cathedral Quarter. A first floor, 2165sq. ft office with 3 car parking spaces - right beside the Duke of York (eyo) and within a 5 minute walk of the City Centre. All in, it’s £34,000 a year - which works out to be around £200pm. at average occupancy. I’ve requested more information - and am by no means considering this the end of the search - many more properties will be investigated and viewed I’m sure before we find somewhere suitable. This post is more intended to spark the next round of discussion - where do we go, what do we want and how much do we pay?