Chair of trustees hails ‘longevity, resilience and independence’ as Sheffield’s Work Station celebrates 30th anniversary
More than 90 businesses and stakeholders attended a celebration event marking the positive impact that Sheffield’s Work Station has had on the economy in its 30-year history.
Brendan Moffett, Chair of Trustees at Showroom Work Station, opened proceedings. He said: “It’s important to take the time to celebrate this story of longevity, resilience and independence in a world of turmoil and constant change.
“At the time of opening, this building was seen as a bold and pioneering move on behalf of Sheffield City Council and an early example of place making and creative clustering. We look forward to working closely with the city in their next phase of economic development.”
Keynote speaker, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, shared how future growth for the region was about combining all sectoral strengths - including digital, creative and cultural - to create a city and region “alive with opportunity” for future growth.
He added: “This is our moment as a region. We need to get it right. We want the right kind of jobs, developed with good partners, in our region. And that brings me back to the Work Station. Because I think the work you do is a showcase of the best of South Yorkshire.
"You bring together the three principles of our plan: a clear physical locus of activity, nourishing excellence; an anchor for better public services and regeneration; and delivering commercial goals without losing sight of your social conscience.”
A panel of speakers from across Sheffield also discussed the growth of digital, creative and cultural businesses and how they reap the rewards of collaboration. This included Melissa Chambers, CEO of Sitehop, a business which has recently secured £5m of seed funding. She said she was proud that the business had grown via the Work Station and all that it offers.
Work Station opened in 1993 as the city’s first collaborative hub supporting independent businesses and in its time has supported SMEs to generate in excess of £340m in combined turnover. The space, on Paternoster Row, has been home to more than 250 businesses in its three decades to date and currently has over 600 people based on site.
To mark the anniversary, the Showroom Work Station has launched a competition for a start-up business to win six months of office space. For more details, visit www.showroomworkstation.org.uk/workstation/offices-facilities/winofficespace
