A sustainable business hub in Bristol that opened just as the UK headed into lockdown is now going from strength to strength.
Future Leap opened in early 2020 to provide a state-of-the-art central hub for firms looking to work more sustainably and move towards carbon neutrality.
But for most of the last 18 months, the stunning reconditioned and re-purposed building on Gloucester Road has been largely vacant.
Company director Alan Bailey explained: "Back in March 2020 the space was just empty.
"A couple of exciting businesses moved in that summer but realistically we weren't open for most of the pandemic.
"However, the hub has suddenly got super-busy over the last two or three months, with people feeling more comfortable about coming into such a sociable space.
"It's really incredible to see our community starting to flourish after such a difficult time."
Best of both worlds
In fact, Future Leap is very well placed to take advantage of the renewed enthusiasm for co-working spaces.
There's been a worldwide rise in bookings in the past year as businesses strive for that perfect balance of flexibility and office life.
Alan said: "We can't discredit the benefits of remote working entirely but we also can't ignore the fact that it doesn’t work for everyone.
"Co-working spaces like Future Leap Hub provide the best of both worlds. Employees can work remotely as and when they need to, but also enjoy that crucial collaborative space for meetings and productivity among like-minded people.
"Physically being around others allows for impromptu collaboration and continuous learning and development which can spark a company’s next light bulb moment."
Community of change-makers
This is why Future Leap is fostering a real community of change-makers wanting to discover, innovate and collaborate on sustainability.
It's all set in a carbon-neutral hub, the first of its kind in the country, situated in the heart of Bristol’s independent retail district.
As well as the light and airy co-working area, it boasts an ethical cafe, exhibition space and eco-lifestyle shop.
Alan said: "Our mission is to give organisations the space, knowledge, contacts and tools to accelerate their sustainability journey and progress towards carbon neutrality.
"Most people in our office do tend to already have an interest in sustainability but it's certainly not required.
"It's really nice when we have organisations coming through who don't have that initial concern but we begin to help them along their way."
Leading by example
Needless to say, Future Leap wants to lead by example by championing all things sustainable.
One of the ways it does this is through organising special events, filled to the brim with knowledge-sharing and networking.
Alan said: "We're about to hold The Business Of Zero - a kind of mini COP26 conference - on November 4, alongside Bristol City Council, Bristol One City Office, West of England Combined Authority, and Business West.
"It is designed to inspire and help locally based companies and employers of all types and sizes to move towards and achieve net zero.
"We had our first ever Future Leap Sustainable Fashion Show at the hub a few months ago, which was a sell-out event; we organise the largest business sustainability conference in the South West; and we hold monthly sustainable markets on Gloucester Road.
We're also sponsoring the Start-up Business of the Year category at this year's Bristol Live Business Awards to celebrate fledgling firms that have defied the challenging economic conditions to grow and thrive.
"All of these events are there to assist people along this sustainable and carbon-neutral journey because if they don't adapt, they're not going to be able to keep up.
"So it's about everybody working together towards this common goal and making sure that nobody is left behind."
Find out more?
Future Leap hub is home to a brand new, carbon-neutral co-working space with plenty of hot desks or fixed desk options and private offices. For further information, see the website.
Nominations for the Bristol Live Business Awards close on Monday, November 8. The glittering awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 15. For more details and to nominate, see the website.
