Local demand for modern office space is high as Node Cowork business hub at Roundswell, Barnstaple, finds itself at full capacity with a growing waiting list.
This comes as the hub celebrates having supported over 300 local companies through providing workspace and business support, an event that was marked with the visit of a number of our councillors and economy team.
Node Cowork on Enterprise Road provides office and coworking space where expert business support and mentorship is part of the offering, enabling startups and small businesses to grow to the benefit of the wider North Devon economy. Node is the flagship development at our Roundswell Enterprise Park which we part-funded with the European Regional Development Fund and Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
The building originally opened its doors to members in October 2021, and in June 2023, completed a £2.1m expansion after it quickly reached full capacity.
Now the 27.5k sq ft building is again oversubscribed with a waiting list, highlighting the demand for modern offices where growing businesses can base themselves in North Devon.
One success story of the space is Digital Marketing business Get Better Ltd. Its founder, Rich Evans, started the business in 2022, working in the building’s coworking space. Now, the company employs 22 people and works with brands across the world, all from its Barnstaple base at Node.
Rich said: “I initially heard about Node through a Facebook ad and I thought it would be a place for me to base myself as a newly self-employed remote worker. It’s been so much more than that though – the community at Node is phenomenal, with so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and business, to learn from. We’ve been able to connect with some fantastic businesses through the hub who we’ve worked with in a professional capacity.”
Hub manager at Node, Julian Dymond said the demand for space at Node showed that companies were looking for more than just bricks and mortar: “We’re delighted to have celebrated supporting more than 300 businesses, something I feel is a testament to the wonderful people we have coming through our doors every day. There really is nothing like the energy that a busy workspace can bring and it’s something our members always comment on.
“So many people choose Barnstaple for the lifestyle and surroundings of North Devon, but there also needs to be modern workspaces to support the economy around that. When you have a work environment where like-minded people can collaborate and naturally network, from a bright and warm place, people gravitate towards it.”
Councillors also recently visited a number of other key economy and skills sites across the county including the Castle Hill Work Hub at Great Torrington, Learn Devon in Bideford, the Future Skills Centre at Exeter Airport Industrial Estate, as well as businesses at Skypark and Exeter Science Park.
Councillor Simon Clist, Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said:
“The TownSq team at Node deserves a great deal of praise and congratulations for supporting over 300 businesses over the past four years, enabling local businesses to grow and create more jobs in the area. The success of the hub has highlighted the huge demand for modern workspace in North Devon. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to see what Node has to offer and to hear the difference it’s made to businesses based there, and it has also been worthwhile having the chance to visit some other key business sites across the county.”
For more information on Node or if you or anyone you know needs support starting or growing a business, you can contact barnstaple@townsq.co.uk, call 01271 452442 or head to nodecowork.co.uk.