Patch Opens its Doors to Twickenham
In September 2023 the workspace start-up Patch opened a new neighbourhood venue in one of Twickenham's historic Art Deco buildings, its largest site so far. The company described it as a hub where local people can work near home, and said it would create 250 jobs in the area.
The venue includes a 3,500 sq ft public ground floor with Café Arora, serving Indian street food from resident Sheetal Arora, together with an events studio, a makers' market and a podcast studio. A programme of talks, supper clubs, sports clubs, workshops, networking sessions and craft classes is planned. Workspace membership starts at £24 a month, flexible enough for hybrid workers, parents, small firms and first-time workers, and some free scholarships are to be offered to local young people. Richmond Council and the South London Partnership supported the redevelopment, with funding obtained through the BIG South London programme.
Founder and chief executive Freddie Fforde said working patterns had changed and that spending more time locally supports happier communities and healthier high streets. Paloma Strelitz, head of product and creative director, said the design nods to the building's Art Deco past, with fast wifi, ergonomic seating, bespoke timber furniture and plenty of natural light. Local designer Dean Connell's studio IAMDC contributed to the interiors, and Middle Child Brewery produced a launch beer. Councillor Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, welcomed the new enterprise hub.
Patch already ran sites in Chelmsford and High Wycombe. The Chelmsford site, a converted brewery, had hosted 200 events with over 5,000 attendees. The firm said 60% of its members were parents and four in five were under 44, and it spoke of plans to expand to every major UK town.
Source: UK Property Forums, original article (29 September 2023)
