News / St Pauls
Plans revealed for historic St Paul’s building
The team behind Southville’s Cigar Factory co-working space have revealed plans for a second location in the former Brunswick Club.
Gather Round intends to open the new St Paul’s venue in early September and promises to create a supportive environment for creative professionals, while also providing space for the local community and surrounding businesses.
The former working men’s club on Brunswick Square was run as a community arts space until early 2019, when then owners Nordic Star Investments Ltd were granted permission to turn the Grade II-listed buildings into offices despite a campaign to retain it as a cultural venue.
Gather Round are now leasing the York Street property. Announcing their plans for it, bosses say they are committed to supporting neighbouring communities through initiatives such as mentoring schemes, discounted event space hire for charitable businesses, promotion of nearby enterprises and a commitment to buying local supplies.
Gather Round specialises in co-working spaces for creatives – photo by Jolanta Valeniece
Co-founder and director, Jason Smith says: “Good culture comes from great people. We’re conscious about the kind of people and businesses that share our spaces; we look for ambitious individuals and companies that share our values of creativity, community, culture, character, kindness and integrity.”
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Read more: Historic Brunswick Club will be turned into offices
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Together with co-founder Ben Steers, Smith first opened Gather Round opposite the Tobacco Factory on Raleigh Road in 2019 as a space designed especially for creatives.
The company’s stated mission is to “build remarkable co-working spaces where creative thinkers and doers can connect, collaborate and thrive”.
The new St Paul’s venue will have space for around 80 to 90 professionals, including freelancers, self-employed and micro businesses. There will be a range of fixed and casual desks, small to medium sized studios, private meeting rooms, hang-out areas, communal kitchen tables and quiet areas for thinking.
The building will also have a dedicated public event space with room for 50 to 60 people.
Gather Round offers private studio, resident and co-working membership options, with prices starting from £175 per month, plus VAT.
Steers adds: “By design, Gather Round provides an intimate, supportive creative environment. We know that a nurturing community makes all the difference to our members’ businesses and we’re delighted to be extending what we offer in Southville to residents of north Bristol.”
Main photo by Martin Booth
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