Spanish co-working space operator makes UK debut

Real estate investor and developer Branco Capital has brought in Spanish co-working provider OneCoWork to operate its premium co-working centre in Preston, Lancashire. Branco bought the 32,000 sq ft office building at 33-34 Winckley Square in July 2022. The space is currently vacant, having been occupied by Capita for the past 25 years.  Branco has appointed Manchester-based Workspace Design & Build as the contractor to refurbish and fit out the building. It is set to open in early April this year.  The facility is expected to feature more than 300 desks alongside 4,000 sq ft of communal space, meeting rooms, event and conference spaces, a gym and kitchens. Branco has plans to grow the co-working centre to more than 500 desks over time.  The appointment represents the first co-working location in the UK for OneCoWork, which operates three centres in Barcelona. Joshua Senior, director at Branco Capital, said: “A lack of new office space in Preston means Winckley Square will greatly enhance and expand the amount of such space in central Preston, breathing new life into the building and attracting more people to the city centre.” Ben Nachoom, co-founder and chief executive of OneCoWork, added: “Preston is ideal for our first flexible workspace location in the UK. Its central position in the north of England, coupled with robust transport links, makes it an accessible and strategic hub. “Compared with other cities that have a more developed co-working market, Preston provides us with an opportunity to make a significant impact on the local entrepreneurial and business community. “Flexible workspaces play a pivotal role in revitalising urban centres. They are more than just shared offices – they are incubators for collaboration, innovation and community building. In secondary cities across the north of England, co-working spaces like ours serve as catalysts for economic development, offering a unique blend of flexibility, networking opportunities and access to a diverse talent pool.” Compare and explore the Preston market >> Image from Branco Capital