Allied helps lonely workers with pop-up ploy

Developer Allied London is to provide an alternative to people struggling with the “solitude” of homeworking by offering its Department-branded flexible workspace for free in exchange for social media coverage. 

Department has launched a pop-up workplace at XYZ Social in Manchester’s Spinningfields, where flexible workspace will be available on a ‘pay-as-you-post’ basis. 

The initiative, which will run for one week starting on 19 October, will allow those who want to take advantage of Department’s working and meeting facilities to do so without paying for a £10 day pass –  provided that they document the experience on social media.

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London and founder of Department, said: “Department offers businesses a mechanism to support their employee’s wellbeing by beating the sense of solitude many have after working from home for an extended period of time. 

“It’s a sustainable gateway for businesses to keep employees engaged and productive whilst transitioning to a hybrid workspace model and the future of work.” 

Allied rebranded its serviced office arm, previously known as All Work and Social, as Department in July. 

Department 1

Department at Bonded Warehouse is already operational

Department aims to provide an antidote to “rigid” workplaces, Ingall said. The concept will operate at an initial four sites in Manchester in response to changing office demands post-Covid-19. 

The four sites are: 

  • XYZ in Spinningfields  
  • ABC Buildings on Quay Street 
  • Bonded Warehouse on Lower Byrom Street  
  • The mixed-use London Road Fire Station scheme 

Anthony Powell, managing director of Department, said: “Department’s workspaces are founded on the principles of work, wellness and social, to enable a better work-life balance. 

“The Department pop-up at XYZ Social is intended to support freelancers, small business owners and employees who may be struggling with the isolation of working from home. It also allows those that cannot currently work from the office, and don’t have the necessary set-up at home, to deliver their best work.”  

The Department pop-up at XYZ Social will open from 08:00am and close at 16:30pm, from Monday to Friday, with the ‘pay-as-you-post’ campaign beginning next week.  

To be eligible, users must share a picture or social media post of themselves using the pop-up with the tag @DepartmentUK_ and hashtag #DoWorkBeSocial.

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Great idea. Good luck with it

By Nice

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