Co-working a winner at Adur & Worthing Business Awards 2017!

The growing phenomenon of co-working along the south coast proved the winner at the 2017 Adur & Worthing Business Awards.   

In the ‘Start Up’ business award sponsored by Adur & Worthing Council the winner was local co-working space, Freedom Works.  In addition, there were two other start up businesses who both received a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the same category, Here and Now Media and Vertex Joinery Ltd.  Both these businesses have also benefited from using co-working space to help establish themselves in their first trading years.

The ‘Start Up’ category is aimed at businesses who have been trading since 1st August 2015.  The judges based their evaluation on how the business start-up was achieved, growth and stability of the business, and a sustainable vision for the future.

Co-working spaces have been around for 13 years, originally starting off in New York where like minded individuals and businesses clubbed together to rent office space.  Not only did this provide small businesses with office space, but they found that working together improved their success rate through increased opportunities to support and collaborate with each other.

Freedom Works opened its doors in Worthing in September 2016 and provides its members 24-hour/7 days a week access; flexible membership packages including permanent dedicated desks or hot desks for those who just wish to use a desk for an hour or two; high speed Wifi; free tea, coffee and fresh fruit; access to workshops and networking events and Free Beer Friday.  The whole point is to create opportunities to encourage members to mix, mingle, collaborate and help grow with flexible support.

Freedom Works in Worthing now has over 110 businesses as members which include marketeers, graphic designers, web developers, PR consultants, recruitment companies,  business consultants, HR advisers, journalists, data forensic experts and accountants.  Many of these members  have grown their businesses as a direct result of being part of a co-working community.

“It’s been a fantastic first year in Worthing” commented Jon Trigg, founder and owner of Freedom Works. “In our first year in the town our members have created 10 new jobs  including 3 apprenticeships.  This is down to their hard work  but also,  having a community workspace which adds to productivity and greater collaboration, just goes to show how co-working space can benefit the local community ”, adds Trigg.  

Freedom Works is a local,  independent, co-working business with ambitions to create a network of co-working spaces across Sussex and the South coast.  They recently opened up their second space in Hove, with plans to set up and manage 2 additional spaces in 2018.

“We’re so proud to be awarded the Start Up of the Year Award,  but, more importantly, proud that 3 out of the 5 finalists are co-workers.  It just goes to show that Sussex needs more co working spaces to keep home grown talent at home”, concluded Trigg.

Media enquiries

Jon Trigg Craig Peters

Freedom Works Sherlock PR

[email protected] [email protected]

07801 260997 0844 826 3136