Innovation & Ideas

Co-working hubs are redefining how creatives collaborate in small towns beyond London

Co-working hubs are redefining how creatives collaborate in small towns beyond London.

By Callum Shields, The Commons View | 18 July 2025, 08:51

In the wake of remote work becoming more commonplace, co-working hubs are flourishing in small towns across the UK, providing a new lifeline for freelancers, start-ups, and digital workers looking for community and connection.

Towns like Totnes, Frome, and Stroud have seen a rise in independently-run shared workspaces offering flexible desks, creative studios, and social events. These hubs are reshaping how people work, while also reinvigorating local high streets and post-industrial buildings.

For freelance copywriter Hannah Doyle, moving her desk from her spare room to Totnes WorkHouse made a noticeable difference. “I’m more productive and less lonely,” she says. “It’s also great to bounce ideas off people from completely different industries.”

Many of these spaces are run as cooperatives or social enterprises. The model fosters a sense of ownership among members and allows pricing to remain affordable. Community fridges, pop-up art shows, and skill swaps are common features, blurring the lines between work and civic life.

Councils are beginning to recognise the broader economic benefits. By encouraging remote workers to stay local, co-working hubs help sustain nearby cafés, shops, and transport links that might otherwise see dwindling foot traffic.

The South Hams District Council recently partnered with a local landlord to convert an unused office block in Ivybridge into a digital co-working centre. The project includes access to high-speed internet, podcast recording booths, and bookable meeting rooms.

These spaces are also proving essential for working parents. With nearby childcare and flexible hours, they offer a practical alternative to long commutes or isolation. “It’s not just where I work — it’s where I connect with people in my town,” says designer Mark Billings.

Some hubs are evolving beyond workspace alone. In Somerset, one venue now runs community journalism projects and hosts weekend makers markets. This hybrid model offers cultural vibrancy as well as economic utility.

Challenges remain, including securing sustainable funding and ensuring accessibility for those outside the creative and tech sectors. But advocates believe that with the right support, co-working can be a cornerstone of thriving small-town economies.

As work becomes less tied to location, the ability to work well locally — with purpose, structure, and social interaction — may be what defines the most resilient communities of the future.