5 Best coworking spaces in Belfast

Now that lockdown is lifting and many of us are returning to the workplace again, co-working spaces are about to become busier than ever.

Many freelancers may now be fed up with working from home 24/7 for the past year. Getting to go into an office environment and meet with others to socialise and have a face to face conversation – even just for a few days a week – seems long overdue.

Coworking spaces for freelancers and entrepreneurs are a great compromise to working full-time in an office. It also beats working from home for many who find it difficult to work surrounded by all those distractions, such as doing the washing while the sun is out and generally tidying up.

According to entrepreneur Dane Strangler, co-working spaces are invaluable. @danestangler: “Coworking spaces don’t just serve the needs of remote workers: they are a crucial support structure for small businesses, sole proprietors, the self-employed, and other entrepreneurs. In particular, they are a lifeline for small businesses that “operate on the periphery” of local economies.”

So, if you live in Belfast, or are visiting the city for a time, where are the best co-working spaces to be looking for? Here are our top 5 choices.

Glandore – Arthur House

Super-fast wifi, workspaces flooded with natural light, on-site IT support and a roof terrace for networking, Glandore – Arthur House also has the advantage of great transport links to Belfast Central train station as well as George Best City Airport.

The Arthur Street location is surrounded by cafes and restaurants, should you feel the need for a change of scene or want to meet a client privately over dinner or a coffee.

Ormeau Baths

Sometimes you just want a co-working space that is actually a historic bathhouse, right? Welcome to Ormeau Baths. This co-working space for entrepreneurs and especially start-ups in the city’s Ormeau Avenue is a partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs.

There is a big emphasis on collaboration here, hence the numerous event spaces, workshop areas and meeting rooms. There’s an on-site coffee shop and even a disabled ramp and lift.

Blick Shared Studios

Located in the city’s lovely Cathedral Quarter in Hill Street, this co-working space is a large, spacious, converted warehouse. It’s aimed at creatives working in the Arts in Northern Ireland.

Not only is there space, networking opportunities and skill-sharing events, there are also funding opportunities. A must for creative types looking to move out of their home working environment.

LoftSpace

Super-fast broadband, free tea and coffee, meeting rooms and a registered business address – what’s not to love at Loftspace?

This centrally-located co-working space in Arthur Street is open-plan and stress-free. It’s also 2050 sq ft in size so you’ll never feel cramped…

Cubic Cowork

Not exactly in Belfast city centre, but sitting 10 minutes outside in Lisburn, Cubic Cowork is nonetheless a great location for any entrepreneur. It’s trendily decorated and surrounded by cafes and shops. There are also plenty of meeting rooms and – best bit of all many would insist – underground parking.