The 10 Most Sociable Coworking Spaces in Manchester

Posted on: 16th February 2024

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If you’re looking for a coworking space that’s open and collaborative, then Manchester is the city for you. Work alongside other like-minded professionals, from creative startups to business owners, all thriving from increased productivity and enhanced networking opportunities.

There were an estimated 3.9 million people using coworking spaces in 2023 alone, and this number only continues to grow as we look towards the future. With many spaces offering shared breakout areas and personal growth events, perfect for collaborating, it’s no surprise that coworking is increasing in popularity year after year.

A good coworking space provides a base for your business, but a great coworking space connects you with the people and expertise you need to help it grow. When choosing a coworking space, it’s important to look for an office that encourages people to be sociable, increasing your chance to meet new people and form meaningful professional relationships.

Manchester has become a coworking hub due to its diverse range of professionals across a range of industries. Recognised as one of Europe’s largest creative, digital and technology clusters and home to the purpose-built digital hub of MediaCityUK, Manchester connects those within marketing, advertising, animation, production, gaming, technology, and plenty more.

Finding a coworking space in Manchester that offers all the social aspects needed for you or your teams to flourish can be a challenge. We’ve put together a list of our top 10 location picks to help you find your next coworking space.

1. 125 Deansgate

With 12 storeys of designer workspace, 125 Deansgate is a unique, vibrant business hub. Including spacious meeting rooms, an onsite coffee shop and a buzzing communal area, there’s plenty of opportunity for socialising with other professionals. Take advantage of the breakout spaces to collaborate with teammates and their onsite networking events.

Located in Manchester’s city centre, it’s a major transport link positioned less than a ten-minute walk from Deansgate Station and Salford Central, connecting you to Greater Manchester and the North West with ease. Book a tour of this prominent business address and see what makes it a perfect base for a range of professionals, from startups to freelancers. The centre features:

● Vibrant business hub

● Salford Central Station: 0.4 mi

2. Spinningfields

Stay productive in this bright and comfortable coworking space in the heart of Spinningfields. Located in one of central Manchester’s tallest buildings, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the city’s skyline from the open shared working spaces, whilst benefiting from an onsite wellness room, cafe and plentiful meeting rooms.

Take a tour of Spinningfields and discover why this sleek corporate district has established itself as a vibrant location for both work and play, with a wide range of restaurants and bars on its doorstep. Spinningfields is designed for social networking, with regular events, activities and even learning lunches, to ensure you stay connected with fellow professionals in the building. Just moments from prime transport links, Salford Central and Deansgate are within a ten-minute walk. The centre features:

● Regular events and activities

● Salford Central Station: 0.4 mi

3. Manchester Airport

Stay connected to the city and the rest of the world with a coworking space near Manchester AirportThis vibrant centre is set in one of Manchester’s most well-known business parks, popular amongst global businesses and creative startups alike. Connect with other professionals in the building in the breakout areas or onsite cafe and restaurant, or, venture into closeby Central Manchester after working hours for a wide range of food options.

This modern glass-fronted building is the perfect setting for team building and social workshops, with 18 high-spec meeting rooms ready to use. With free parking onsite, easily access this business centre by car from the M6 or take a 15-minute walk to Manchester Airport train station which connects you to Central Manchester and the North West. The centre features:

● Business park location

● Manchester Airport station: 0.7 mi

4. 82 King Street

An effortless blend of modern design and amenities within a historical Grade I listed building, 82 King Street delivers a unique coworking space for many professionals. The building was once the headquarters of the Bank of England and the local area is the historical home to the North-West’s banking industry, those in the finance sector will thrive here.

Meet other coworking professionals within the industry on a daily basis, building important connections along the way. Socialise with others in the breakout areas or business lounge and stay connected with your team face-to-face whilst utilising their range of meeting rooms. With Manchester Victoria and Salford Central less than a 12-minute walk away, stay connected to Greater Manchester and the North West. The centre features:

● Grade I listed building

● Manchester Victoria station: 0.5 mi

5. Didsbury

Enjoy peaceful surroundings, yet remain close to the action with a business base at our modern Adamson House workspace in Didsbury, a leafy suburb in Manchester’s ‘stockbroker belt’. Just five miles south of the city centre, it’s home to a range of industries including household names in technology and aviation. It’s just a 15-minute walk to the East Didsbury Metrolink, connecting you easily to Central Manchester. 

Our beautifully designed workspace has a relaxing terrace, perfect for socialising and networking with other professionals in the building. When it’s time to unwind, there are high-end shops and restaurants nearby. Book a tour and discover what Didsbury has to offer. The centre features:

● Relaxing terrace

● Fletcher Moss bus stop: 0.1 mi

6. Trafford Park

Situated in the heart of Salford, surrounded by parks and with light, airy spaces, Centenary House is designed to help you stay productive. The modern glass-fronted structure sits within Europe’s largest industrial estate, making it home to a wide array of businesses and industries. A cluster of digital and creative companies, an increasing selection of leisure and tourism businesses and even those in manufacturing, all congregate in the Trafford Park area. You’re sure to run into various professionals in the breakout areas who can help expand your knowledge and build your network like you never imagined.

With 22,000 sq ft of coworking space, unlock endless possibilities and potential for your business. Just a 15-minute drive from the thriving Manchester City Centre, this business hub is well connected. The centre features:

● Perfect for digital and creative companies

● Eccles station: 0.6 mi

7. Digital World Centre

Set within a cutting-edge development on the Salford Quays waterfront, Digital World Centre neighbours Media City and other growing businesses, making it ideal for creative professionals. Adjacent to the renowned Media City, home to industry giants like the BBC, ITV, and the University of Salford, the Digital World Centre offers unparalleled networking opportunities on your doorstep.

The space itself is bright and sleek, with breakout spaces in abundance, perfect for teamwork and collaboration. Boasting 10 stylish meeting rooms suitable for various business needs, from intimate discussions to larger board meetings and training sessions, the office space provides state-of-the-art facilities with plenty of room to let your big ideas grow. With the Metrolink tram service just minutes away and Salford Crescent train station connecting to major lines, reach the office in no time. The centre features:

● Neighbour with industry giants

● MediaCityUK bus stop: 272 ft

8. Lowry Mill

Nestled in a prime location with a backdrop of Manchester's iconic skyline, Lowry Mill stands out as the ultimate choice for professionals eager to embrace collaboration and connectivity.

From private offices to collaborative meeting rooms, every inch of Lowry Mill is crafted to inspire creativity, promote teamwork, and form an environment where ideas flourish. Situated on the outskirts of Manchester’s city centre, you’ll be a five-minute walk to Swinton station. This location provides more than just a workspace – it offers a gateway to a thriving professional network. The surrounding area is teeming with businesses, creating a natural synergy that propels collaboration.

Whether you're simply looking to enjoy the open workspace or participating in organised networking events, the opportunities to connect are endless. Build relationships, share insights, and expand your professional circle in an environment designed for meaningful interactions. The centre features:

● Outdoor terrace

● Swinton station: 0.3 mi

9. Peter House

For innovative ideas and cultural inspiration, Peter House is the perfect option. Nestled in the vibrant city centre of Manchester, this location provides unparalleled access to key business districts, transport links, and cultural hotspots.

Offering a range of flexible office solutions that cater to diverse professional needs from private offices for focused work to dynamic meeting spaces designed to inspire collaboration, the workspace is thoughtfully curated to promote creativity and teamwork. With seating dotted around the building for moments of focus or generating new ideas, feel connected with other professionals at any time.

Based in Manchester’s main central square, hot desks and social spaces are all available in this light, flexible office just a seven-minute walk from Oxford Road station.

● Dynamic meeting spaces

● Manchester Oxford Road station: 0.3 mi

10. St James Tower

St James Tower isn't just a place to work; it's a social hub in its own right. On-site amenities such as cafes and communal spaces provide the perfect backdrop for casual conversations, idea-sharing, and relationship-building beyond the confines of formal meetings.

Bright communal spaces and well-equipped meeting rooms make St James Tower ideal for brainstorming and networking with new contacts. Connect with a community of entrepreneurs in our business lounges, or entertain clients in nearby St Peter’s Square with great access to bus and tram services.

Situated in a strategic location at the city's core and less than a 10-minute walk from Manchester Picadilly and Oxford Road stations. St James Tower emerges as the ideal choice for professionals seeking a dynamic and socially immersive workspace. From private offices tailored for focused work to communal areas designed to inspire creativity, every space is a canvas for professional growth in this community-driven hub. The centre features:

● Coworking spaces

● Manchester Oxford Road station: 0.5 mi

How do coworking spaces promote social interactions and community?

Coworking spaces are designed to promote social interactions through breakout areas, networking events, and workshops. One of the benefits of these collaborative environments is that they provide prime opportunities for connecting with new people and expanding your professional network with minimum effort. Not only can these interactions help link you with those who might share similar interests and work goals, but they can be essential for building a sense of community.

Community is an important part of coworking culture, particularly, for smaller teams, solo freelancers or those looking to escape the work-from-home routine. The sense of isolation is eliminated when you have plenty of opportunities for social interaction around you. The open-plan nature of coworking spaces naturally creates a sense of belonging, allowing you to build a strong support system whilst simultaneously providing you with privacy through dedicated focus areas and meeting rooms.

There are some key things to keep in mind when looking for a coworking space that helps promote social interactions. Some examples include:

● A dynamic work environment

Unlike a traditional office, a coworking space attracts professionals from various industries in one building. This diversity helps to create a dynamic and collaborative atmosphere that encourages networking and professional connection. From sharing desk space to onsite workshops, coworking brings people together and provides the opportunity to learn from other members.

● Increased productivity

For remote workers and small teams, coworking provides the perfect base to help boost productivity. Video calls don’t often provide the environment for an effective brainstorming session, for example. Coworking spaces, on the other hand, are innovative and inspiring with 34% of professionals having said they help improve productivity levels.

● Collaborative atmosphere

With working life becoming more hybrid and remote, collaboration is key for the workplace for skill sharing, problem-solving, and idea-generating. Since coworking spaces attract a variety of professionals, you’re sure to meet new people with a range of skills.

● Networking opportunities

Some of the best coworking spaces in Manchester will host onsite events from social and informal happy hours to focused seminars and workshops. These are perfectly crafted to encourage professionals to build meaningful connections with their coworkers. Not only does this build your network and push you to meet people you may not have met in a traditional office space, but this can also help boost productivity and your overall job satisfaction within coworking spaces.

Find a coworking space in Manchester

As Manchester continues to solidify its reputation as a hub for entrepreneurs and professionals, the importance of choosing the right coworking space is paramount. The city has so much to offer from sophisticated work spaces to a thriving community of professionals looking to make their mark. It’s crucial to secure a workspace that ticks all the boxes, and having a thriving social community shouldn’t fall short.

It's not just about where you work; it's about the people you surround yourself with and the relationships you cultivate. Find a social coworking space with Regus that will enable you to build connections and network with like-minded professionals. We are here to provide you with a productive workspace designed to be a catalyst for both professional success and a rich social experience in the vibrant city of Manchester.

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