Manchester Metropolitan University - Innospace
Contact Details: |
Richard Deighton, Director of Innospace |
Type of Project: |
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Business School has established a facility to assist both graduates and non graduates in developing their business ideas to help create sustainable new businesses in the heart of Manchester. It is managed by the Innospace management team. The 900 square metres of space has been completely renovated within MMU's listed Minshull Building on Chorlton Street in Central Manchester. Previously the building, which is a grade-2 listed 1840s wharfside granary, was home to the University Library. |
Start/End Date: |
Opened in September 2007. |
What makes the space successful?
A 'Community of Entrepreneurs' exists and the positive atmosphere is infectious. There are many opportunities for collaborative partnerships.
As most tenants work daily in the space, there has developed a sense of camaraderie and mutual support with many meeting regularly for coffee in the café area. As the space is business-focused with a professional feeling, they also conduct business meetings in the café or in one of the meeting rooms.
The central Manchester location, with its M1 postal address and excellent transport links, is important for many business dealings.
The open plan nature allows some degree of privacy whilst at the same time tenants are not isolated.
The lighting and the furniture and its configuration give a feeling of space, colour and vibrancy.
The support staff are welcoming, business-like yet friendly and very enthusiastic and supportive of new business ventures.
The tenants are very enthusiastic about the space and the opportunities it affords:
- 'networking, learning from others, access to facilities'
Comment on positive features of working in Innospace, from Tangerinesnap, an Innospace tenant
The staff are also enthusiastic:
- 'a success-oriented environment - a powerful combination of can-do entrepreneurial spirit and energy, fully backed up with professional ring, mentoring, advice and business support - to turn dreams into reality'
Richard Deighton Director of Innospace (who when interviewing prospective clients always gives them 3 of his business cards - 1 for the prospective client and 2 to pass on to friends who might have similar interests...)
All office support is offered including colour printing and photocopying/fax.
What principles were behind the design?
The space is refurbished and centrally located - providing an excellent business address for Innospace client companies.
The space provides value for money accommodation to the clients and has been established as part of a wider University vision of developing as an enterprising organisation (Manchester Metropolitan University Institutional Strategic Plan 2007-2020).
A major aim of the space is to remove the barriers to enterprise and give entrepreneurs the best possible chance of success that is both profitable and sustainable.
Refurbishment plans are still under review and discussion, no further details available at this point.
What is innovative about the design? And use of the building?
Innospace is based in a repurposed and refurbished building. The large open area of the main space is flexible enough to allow temporary partitioning off of space, when and where required.
