A Turkish delight - lunch at Zeugma

Spaceworks popped out for a sandwich today and it was chilly and it looked nice and warm in Zeugma on Abbeydale Road ... what with the charcoal thing and lovely smell it was not really a difficult decision. We have been firm favouritess since it opened and it is nice to blog about Zeugma's as we are not really sure how to pronounce it!

The location of Spaceworks is dangerous in this respect. While you can intend to pop out to get some ingredients to make your own lunch (in our kitchen) from Sainsbury's or Aldi it is all too easy to end up going into Dim Sum (Chinese) or Dhanistha (Sri Lankan) or even getting a chip butty from 'A salt and battered'. That is all if you manage to pass by Cafe Euro and the egg and chip temptations.

The fact that we are next The Edge Climbing Centre could act as a counterpoint to the excessive calorie intake if you are into climbing ... today I'll just try to cycle home a bit harder to make space for supper ...

More about us ... Spaceworks in Sheffield!

Be part of our friendly business community for people who are mostly work – or run their businesses - from home in Sheffield.

What are the benefits of joining?

1. Info and invitations to events at Spaceworks such as:

• Grow Your Business seminars
• In the Loop evening discussions
• Last Friday lunches
• Coffee and cake Tuesdays
• Social cycle rides

2. Use of members’ workspace to work, hold meetings or host your events. Workspace packages range from pay by the hour, to 24/7 access and include:

· Easy in, easy out terms

· 24/7 access – use it when you need it

· Printing and copying facilities

· Wi-fi and hard wired internet access

· Shared Kitchen

· Use of a business address

· Secure locker for storage

· Regular free taster days for members – try it out for a day for free

3. Sharing space (or co-working) is good for you and good for your business!

· Research shows networking can really benefit your business. Meet up with like-minded folks in the Spaceworks Community … you might be surprised what valuable know-how a bit of bartering of your skills could bring you and your business.

· Tired of making your own tea all the time? Share those drink making duties around sometimes!

Interested? Give us a ring or email us, have a look at our blog, follow us on twitter or drop in and see us. We’d love to hear from you.

Sophy sophy@spaceworkssheffield.co.uk 07967 144230

Alastair alastair@spaceworkssheffield.co.uk

@spaceworkssheff

Spacetowork.blogspot.com

Spaceworks, Harland Works, John St, Sheffield S2 4QU 0114 275 5571

spacewor kssheffield.co.uk

@spaceworkssheff

Spacetowork.blogspot.com

Spaceworks, Harland Works, John St, Sheffield S2 4QU 0114 275 5571

Bedroom to Boardroom

I love a catchy title for a blog post, or a presentation. Bedroom to Boardroom is neat, but not entirely accurate. In this case it probably does not matter, but it can.

When asked about a suggested title for a presentation on promoting enterprise for young people in deprived areas a few years ago I speedily came up with 'From Crack Den to Dragon's Den'. It was sort of a joke, but it stuck. At the end of the talk a puzzled drugs worker was not sure she had had that question answered ...

Back to the point. We don't have a boardroom and we still sometimes work in our bedrooms. People keep asking us about how Spaceworks works. There is a story and we will tell it on this blog, as it helps explain. The thing is it is not about giving up the slippers and duvet advantages of working from home. We still do some work from home too. It's about having the option of a space to work away from home. A change of scene, someone to make coffee for, share biscuits with and swap ideas with.

On a day like today not having to venture out of the house is very appealing and twitter is great for feeling in touch.

So, Spaceworks is not about giving up on working from home.

Our stories, that led to the setting up of Spaceworks will follow over the coming weeks, as well as more about storage options and events.

Wireless, Twitter, chalkboards etc

Its the 21st century and convicts are to get the vote, women have had it a while and not too sure about 'lunatics'.

Spaceworks, being your obvious '21st century local space to work option' (not our new strapline that one) has a nice speedy wireless internet connection and we, blog and we Tweet (@spaceworkssheff).

The wireless is so essential that it almost feels like we don't need to mention it when people ask us what Spaceworks is all about. Yes, we do have printer, kitchen, lockers too.

The blog and Twitter help us keep in touch with the sort of people who would enjoy being part of shared workspace. Looking at the #sheffield on Twitter demonstrates that there are lots of self-employed/freelance/entrepeneur type of people creatively working away around the city, living by their wits. Some of the tweets indicate that some bedroom based workers are getting important social contact through it too!

We still like our blackboard and magnetic wall (behind which is the quiet zone). Stuck to one of them now is the menu for our Spaceworks Christmas dinner ... feel free to come and have a look, we have space to work available now and spaces around the dinner table too. You don't have to wear a paper party hat.

Shared workspace NY inspiration

A friend of ours set up a shared workspace in New York a few years ago. It has thrived even during the recession over there. People who are a member of her space enjoy the social side, the events and the surprisingly frequent influential interactions with other businesses. We will feature her business in a future post.

There is a danger in overplaying the networking opportunities, but one thing you can definitely say is there are lot more possibilities than in your back bedroom!

Egg and chips ...

Having Cafe Euro right next door to Sapceworks is a bit dangerous. Full intentions of a baked potato with salad crumbled at the counter as one of their signature egg and chips came past as we queued.

You can get to Spaceworks through Cafe Euro or through the adjoining grey gate (once you've got the code) ... a bacon sarnie can be appealing too, especially with their pre-10am deal.

21st century works and Little Mesters

We are not keen on the hot-desking term, communal workspace is not quite right either and it is not just shared office space ... perhaps, building on the Sheffield tradition it is a 21st Century Works and the small businesses that work here are modern day Little Mesters?

An often used description of how they worked is remarkably similar to how Spaceworks will work 'A little mester is a self-employed cutlery worker who rents space in a factory'.

While you ponder that the picture is part of a new poster that we are making that celebrates our 21st Century take on the traditional Sheffield Works.

Party and coffee morning - tomorrow

The barrel of Kelham Island beer has been ordered, cakes are baking and most of the tidying up has been done and a music play list has been fought over!

Coffee and cakes at 11am on Thursday.

Beer, wine, music and nibbles from 8pm on Thursday.

Come and have a look at our new communal workspace and meet some other people who work and play in Sheffield.

Launch Party!

On Thursday October the 14th we're celebrating the launch of Spaceworks' newly opened office. We are inviting neighbours and friends to drop in for coffee and delicious home made cake between 10 and 12 noon. Friends and colleagues are also invited along in the evening to join us for our launch party.

If you'd like to join us for either - and see what Spaceworks shared work space could offer you - drop us an email and we'll send you an invite!

Contact us at Spaceworks@cadenceworks.co.uk