Sharp Project launches membership package
The Sharp Project, Manchester City Council's digital industry complex, is offering paid access to facilities for non-tenants.
The membership fee starts at £80/year and allows creative entrepreneurs, students and freelancers access to communal facilities such as café, free wi-fi, lockers and discounted room hire.
The scheme is aimed at offering occasional visitors a handy base and encouraging "networking with Sharp Projects tenants…in a relaxed, social environment".
SME and corporate membership is also available with up to ten people signed in at any one time. Day passes at £15 are available for people who are visiting Manchester just for the day or those wishing to try the membership. The day pass gives access to The Campus from 9am to 5pm and access to any events taking place in The Campus that day. They will also be able to use the wi-fi and daily lockers for free.
The Campus is a 5,000 sq ft social and events space at the centre of the 'Gold' zone, which contains office units over two levels.
Sue Woodward, director of the Sharp Project, said: "This is the final piece in our jigsaw. We are very keen to give creative individuals who are just starting out, the ability to benefit from our very own ecosystem, where people meet, companies collaborate and businesses flourish. Networking is at the heart of our ethos. The Campus opens to the wider community in Greater Manchester and beyond."
Rose Marley, manager of the Sharp Project, added: "Over 40 people have pre-registered for membership but we will limit the capacity in the first instance to allow quality networks to grow. We feel it is important to open our doors to a wider section of the creative and digital industry and share with them what has been created for this important sector. Not everyone needs office space when they are starting out or when they already have an office based elsewhere in the city region, so The Campus membership provides an affordable and flexible alternative venue to work from."
