Origin Workspace Celebrates Four Years

As we look back over the last four years, we want to reflect on the unimaginable challenges, the incredible highs and most importantly, our fantastic community who continue to grow alongside us. Some of our members have been with us at 40 Berkeley Square from the very beginning, and here they are…

Appeal Digital
Website design and development agency, Appeal Digital helped launch Origin Workspace in 2019. Having built and managed our website since the beginning, founder Luke Trimmings has experienced the cyclical nature of our space. From working on a pod of desks, Appeal outgrew Origin and moved to their own office, before returning to where it all began.

The team have taken part in many events and activities at Origin over the years. Luke runs the weekly BNI networking group hosted in the space and is a regular attendee at the weekly running club.

QODA Consulting
In April 2019, Oli Fuller launched the Bristol branch of QODA. After joining solo on a desk when the building was under construction, Ollie soon brought a highly experienced team of engineering consultants into the space to take up residence in a small office.

Now, QODA has increased their team to 23 strong and are one of the many property businesses who call Origin Workspace home, they attend the quarterly property networking group hosted here by Pulse Consult and are a fantastic example of how the space at Origin can be adapted for growing teams.

Upon designing the building, we knew that the spaces needed to be flexible to allow for businesses to grow. Taking out a glass partition from three neighbouring offices, enabled QODA to expand into a spacious L shaped office for 23. Caroline Hamilton, Commercial Manager at Origin Workspace

There is so much room for growth here. We’ve gone from a three, to a ten, to a 16 and now a 23-person office in less than three years. There is also fantastic opportunity for collaboration with other property businesses based in the building. Oliver Fuller, QODA Consulting

 

ea Change
Joining back in 2018 as one of Origin’s very first members, James McNicol and Andrew Oliver saw 40 Berkeley Square transform into an incredible office space with a thriving community. And, as their recruitment business, ea Change continued to flourish, they moved into an even larger private office within the space.

What we love is the ethos of Origin Workspace and the way we are made to feel part of the family. Clients we bring here are blown away by the space and the amazing roof terrace. James McNicol, eaChange

 

Where The Wild Is
In March 2018, Emma Durkin came to us with an idea, lots of enthusiasm and a strong history of working for tour operators. Emma joined the Origin Start up programme, and launched Where The Wild Is, a luxury travel company specialising in northern lights holidays and incredible trips to the top of the world.

Challenged by the pandemic, she hibernated the business and helped the team at Origin with their own marketing efforts before returning to travel when the world opened again. The business has grown from strength to strength ever since, and their team of four now work on our dedicated desks.

I saw Origin Workspace transform from a building site to a premium coworking environment before my very own eyes. Being a luxury brand, I need an office space to reflect this. I’m proud to invite customers here to discuss holiday plans. The space is very impressive, and the meeting rooms here are first-class. Emma Durkin, Where The Wild Is Travel

Masterclassing
Industry leaders Masterclassing moved into the space in May 2019 with big plans. Their ambition and drive cemented their place at Origin and they’ve grown with us ever since. From dedicated desks to hosting intimate, conversation-driven events across the globe, the Bristol team headed by co-founder John Owen continue to thrive within the space.

Cook Corporate Solicitors
A firm of solicitors specialising in corporate, commercial and employment law, Cook Corporate have been based at Origin Workspace from the very beginning. The highly experienced team work closely with business owners and entrepreneurs to provide heavyweight, robust, commercial advice and to add genuine value to their organisations. On a mission to become the number one corporate law boutique in the South West, not only do they find Origin’s location and sense of community to be ideal for their team, but Managing Partner and Founder Charles Cook feels Origin works from a core values perspective.

Corporate, environmental and social responsibilities are an integral part of our commitment and obligation to the individuals and businesses we work with. We believe in promoting collaboration and teamwork, and as a firm we have an open and approachable style. Our team are flexible and drive to embrace new experiences and challenges. Charles Cook, Cook Corporate

All About The Cooks
In April 2019, Claire Ladkin joined Origin Workspace with a simple mission: to revolutionise the way we eat at home. In October 2020, Claire’s ambitious tech start-up, All About The Cooks, was born, making it possible for the people of Bristol to buy food from talented cooks who live nearby.

I have made some fantastic connections and collaborations from being part of the space. I met with BUD to discuss possible ways to approach the Minimum Viable Product from a tech point of view. Cook Corporate, a boutique firm of solicitors here were responsible for important legals, and by talking to Tech Talent, we found our web developer. The contacts we have found just by being here have been incredibly valuable. Claire Ladkin, All About The Cooks

Lights, Camera, Action!
Shortly after the grand opening of the building in January 2020, the doors at 40 Berkeley Square were forced to closed. COVID-19 changed everything.
As a business, Origin still needed to generate revenue too, and with a vast amount of unused office space, the team decided to become available for television and film production companies seeking set locations.

Soon flood lights filled Berkeley Square and the team at Origin bent over backwards to accommodate production companies, whilst keeping existing members who were slowly returning to work happy too.

The first floor was transformed into a bustling set to film scenes including those in the Stephen Merchant series, The Outlaws, and the team filming McDonald & Dodds converted the entire floor into a clinic. Walls were painted and repainted, reception signage was changed, and even part of the car park was redesigned to mimic a lift shaft. This was all done whilst prioritising members’ use of the workspace.

From opening at the weekend and late into the evenings, giving up car parking spaces to crew, and directing members through a different entrance when the lobby was being filmed, no request was too big or too small for the team to implement.

We’ve provided the production setting for everything from Amazon Prime’s Alex Rider to BBC’s The Outlaws, and photography space for global brands such as Dyson. Caroline Hamilton, Commercial Manager at Origin Workspace

 

Flexible Membership Options
Ever adaptable, as people started to return to the office, we altered our original membership plans and introduced more flexibility in response to the change in working patterns. Now, businesses can purchase a set number of desks and use them interchangeably. This has provided a perfect solution for business in the space that embrace hybrid working such as Hollis, TMW and Aspect Film.

A Workspace Centred on Wellness & Charity Support
Prioritising wellness is one of our key values at Origin. We’re proud of our fully equipped on-site gym, personal trainers and and wellness programme headed by Operations Manager, Parm Dlay who joined the team in 2022.

Head of Origin, Rob Hingston, leads a weekly running club and two yearly park runs for Origin members, he is also a big supporter of the Bristol 10k and half marathon, where we’re able to raise funds for one of our charity partners, The Prince’s Trust.

Having launched a three-year deal for the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme in February 2023, we’re looking forward to helping the charity secure brighter futures for talented young people. Rob Hingston, Origin Workspace

 

We also collaborate with four other fantastic charities, some of which have been Origin members from the start. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Talk Club, Access Sport, South Bristol Youth and Gympanzees at Origin Workspace.

The future’s bright, the future’s Origin
From our 28 original members, a whopping 137 businesses now call Origin Workspace home. Interested in joining us? Book a tour of the space or a free day pass or call us on 01174 400 400.

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