Hanley Town’s first purpose-built, flexible office space in the region, Smithfield Works, marked its second anniversary on Friday 26th April 2024, following two years of successfully bringing the business community together.
The workspace, which exists to offer the latest high-quality private suites, working spaces, and meeting rooms to meet all needs, has experienced a surge in demand in the first three months of the year, with occupancy increasing for both existing tenants and new companies taking space. Interest in flexible hot desk memberships is also rising, with organisations such as Stoke Creates and the Knot Group taking advantage of the slick, well-managed space as a hub for member events.
Designed to support the growth of innovative young businesses across diverse sectors, over the past two years Smithfield Works has successfully united a plethora of organisations through regular socials, charity collections, and wider community events. The latter has also allowed non-members from across the UK to make use of the versatile space.
Smithfield Works has also secured a number of permanent occupiers within the last year, including cultural compact organisation, Stoke Creates, and financial services firm, Complete Capital Allowance, with the latter upgrading its initial agreed office space to the largest suite in the building.
Lee Parker, sales director at Complete Capital Allowance, said: “As soon as I walked into Smithfield Works I fell in love with the atmosphere, the way the building was decorated, and the level of premium services that are included in the package. For me, when it came to location, look and feel, and service delivered, Smithfield Works was the obvious choice to set up our base in Stoke-on-Trent.
“When we initially moved in in September 2023, we were a small team, but as we’ve grown and given the service we’ve been receiving, we have now made the decision to move into the largest suite in the building. This was easily the best decision for us as we prepare to continue this business growth over the coming year.”
Adele-Marie Simmons, community manager at Smithfield Works, said: “It brings us great pleasure to mark Smithfield Works’ second birthday after two years of focused commitment to bring the local professional community to life.
“Smithfield Works plays just one part in the success of the wider Smithfield mixed-use development, and we’re thrilled to see it thriving with members who want to grow their businesses and networks.
“This is just the beginning for Smithfield Works as we prepare to continue to widen our offering, and develop our amenities even further.”
Smithfield was delivered in partnership between Genr8 Developments, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).