Freelance work spaces in the pipeline for Hove

PLATF9RM is set to open a 12,000 square foot space at Hove Town Hall, allowing digital freelancers and businesses of all sizes access to workspaces, with flexibility for easy expansion.

The new location will provide a range of working spaces and membership options, from design-led co-working areas which encourage collaboration and fixed desks to private offices, phone booths and meeting rooms. It will also have a lounge, café, showers, and a multi-use cultural space.

Members will be able to make connections in the monthly socials, and benefit from regular business workshops and training sessions, as well as locally-sourced café facilities.

Seb Royle, founder of PLATF9RM said: “For two years running, Lloyd’s Bank studies have found Hove to be the country’s most desirable postcode for homeowners between the ages of 25 and 44-years-old. PLATF9RM is catering to the needs of Hove’s modern occupants and we’re thrilled to deliver a roving population of young, creative professionals to the centre of Hove, bringing with them a wealth of benefits to local businesses and services.

“We are building a community for the city’s creative and business industries. We have an ever-growing program of social events, and the Hove Town Hall site will have a multi-cultural space and public area. Added to our current site in the North Laine’s Tower Point, this will solidify PLATF9RM’s position as Brighton & Hove’s most forward-thinking and dynamic workspace.

“We have worked closely with Brighton designers, We Like Today, who also designed our first space in Brighton. They have developed an engaging, colourful space that puts the onus on creating an inspiring work environment.

“The first phase is in the old auditorium. This has been recently refurbished by the council to create much needed office space in the centre of Hove, and we’re part of the project to bring this area to life.

“The second phase is in the old undercroft on Church Road. This space used to be open for the public to walk through but has been covered up for nearly 25 years - we’re making this building accessible to the community of Hove once more.”

Since opening its first workspace in autumn 2016, PLATF9RM has been one of the city’s success stories - growing from 6,000 to 15,000 square foot in just six months.

Once Hove Town Hall is completed by the end of 2017, this will jump to over 27,000 square foot of workspace in the city. Membership numbers have risen from zero to 250 and counting, and the company has a target of 500 members for the next 12 months.