5 flexible workspaces in Manchester to know about this September
September always brings that back-to-business feeling. The summer holidays are winding down, diaries are filling up again and, after a few months of working from kitchen tables, coffee shops and wherever else you can find Wi-Fi, a change of scenery can feel very welcome.
Luckily, Manchester has no shortage of brilliant places to work. From beautifully designed coworking spaces to creative hubs that feel more like members’ clubs, there are plenty of options whether you need a desk for the day, somewhere impressive to meet a client or a more permanent base in the city.
Here are five flexible workspaces in Manchester worth having on your radar this September...
1. Clockwise Manchester
Housed inside Linley House, Clockwise Manchester is one of the city’s most interesting places to set up for the working day. The eight-storey building was once an electrical station powering Manchester and still retains nods to its industrial past, including the original ‘City of Manchester Electric Light Station’ sign.
Inside, things are decidedly more contemporary. Alongside flexible workspace, there are breakout areas, club lounges, meeting rooms and event spaces, plus a podcast recording room for those days when your laptop and headphones aren’t quite enough.
Clockwise is also a useful one to know if your work regularly takes you around the North, with locations in Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield too.
2. Department
For somewhere that blurs the line between coworking space and lifestyle destination, Department is well worth knowing about.
Its Manchester locations include Bonded Warehouse, Campfield and XYZ, with spaces designed around far more than simply finding somewhere to open your laptop. Think coworking alongside cafés, lounges, events and wellness facilities, making it a good option if you want a little more from your working environment.
You can drop in with a day pass when you fancy escaping the home office, or opt for dedicated desks and private offices if you’re looking for something more permanent.
3. Work.Life Manchester
Right in the heart of the city on Brown Street, Work.Life Manchester is a friendly and flexible option for anyone who wants to be properly in the middle of things.
There are private offices and coworking areas alongside meeting rooms, phone booths and plenty of breakout space. Unlimited coffee is included too – always an important consideration when choosing where to spend a working day.
Its central location also makes it particularly handy for commuters, with both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly within walking distance.
4. Colony
If community is high on your list, Colony is one to have on your radar. With several locations across Manchester, it has become a popular choice for freelancers, creatives and smaller businesses looking for somewhere that feels a little less corporate.
There’s a mix of coworking spaces, private offices and meeting rooms, giving you the flexibility to choose what you need depending on the day.
Having multiple Manchester locations is another bonus, particularly if you like switching up your surroundings or want the option to work from different parts of the city rather than committing to one neighbourhood.
5. ABC
Over in St John’s, ABC brings together workspace, culture, production and hospitality within a collection of revived 1960s buildings.
It’s a particularly good one to know if you work in Manchester’s creative or media industries, with everything from flexible desks and studios to private offices and social spaces under one roof.
There’s also an ABC Club membership designed for freelancers, founders and small teams, making it somewhere you can work, meet people and become part of a wider creative community.
Whether September means getting back into a routine, finally moving your business out of the spare room or simply finding somewhere new to work for the day, Manchester has plenty of options. And, if a good coffee and an inspiring backdrop can make the inbox feel slightly more manageable, even better.
