Making coworking work for you at the Bureau Dungannon

We can always count on the Collins English Dictionary’s Words of the Year to act as a barometer for the events and trends that have encapsulated the previous 12 months, so it’s little surprise that ‘lockdown’, ‘social distancing’ and ‘key worker’ have all made the final cut for 2020.

Yet if we were to look more closely at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world we live in – or, more precisely, the towns and cities in which we work, do business and socialise – we’re more likely to see the buzzwords ‘remote working’ and ‘home office’ making an appearance.

The health, social and economic crises that have resulted from the coronavirus emergency have also contributed to sea changes in the way in which we live our lives. Not least of those changes can be seen in the still huge numbers of employees who still haven’t returned to their ‘traditional’ places of work and instead base themselves in home offices or, just as likely, their kitchen tables or spare bedrooms.

Employers are now recognising that collaborative or coworking spaces are more suitable for their post-lockdown business models when compared to full-time, staffed offices, and for early stage start-ups and freelancers of all kinds, the demand for this type of facility is increasing.

Reflecting that demand across the Dungannon and wider Mid Ulster District Council area, an exciting new coworking space known as The
Bureau, is open and ready to embrace that demand.

Based at Dungannon Enterprise Centre, the new facility offers Covidsecure, socially distanced private workspaces with superfast broadband, free parking and meeting rooms, all for the price of a few coffees.

Dungannon Enterprise Centre’s Chief Executive, Brian MacAuley, explains more about the project. “The Coronavirus pandemic has changed forever the way businesses and employees operate, and never has the appetite for more flexible and modern ways of working been more apparent. “While the first lockdown certainly came with its challenges for us all, there were huge benefits also, particularly for workers who faced long daily commutes in heavy traffic from Dungannon to Belfast or further afield.

“Being able to save time, money and energy – both in terms of our health and wellbeing and environmentally – is one of the positive impacts that the pandemic has created and with the opening of The Bureau we are reflecting a demand for that change to continue long-term. “The Bureau offers individual, private coworking spaces for individuals or groups of staff, and standalone pods or designated desks can be reserved according to the needs and preferences of our clients.

“Our centre has been operating at well over 90 per-cent capacity in spite of the economic challenges that Covid-19 has posed for other sectors such as retail and hospitality. We are continuing to work with our Board Members and other stakeholders to find additional space for expansion, such is the demand from businesses in the Dungannon and Mid Ulster area.

“The spirit of entrepreneurship has always been unique to this area and we want to continue supporting that spirit and providing solutions for people who wish to start up or develop their business or skill. “We are delighted to announce the latest stage in our development with the launch of The Bureau, and we look forward to welcoming new clients to what is a first for Co Tyrone!”

Visit www.thebureaudungannon.co.uk for more information or call Dungannon Enterprise Centre on 028 8772 3489 to speak to a Business Advisor.