Ziferblat founder eyes Liverpool for co-living sites

Entrepreneur Colin Shenton, founder of pay-per-minute co-working space Ziferblat, said Liverpool would be the next North West location for co-living concept Oppidan after the success of Manchester’s Swan Street.

Entrepreneur Colin Shenton, founder of pay-per-minute co-working space Ziferblat, said Liverpool would be the next North West location for co-living concept Oppidan after the success of Manchester’s Swan Street.

The first Oppidan residency in the Northern Quarter opened in June and is made up of 15 units, all of which are now let.

In the North West, Shenton said plans are in place to open more Oppidans in Manchester as well as Liverpool, and in other northern cities.

Tenants of Oppidan pay a fixed monthly rent which includes their private apartment, all utilities, Wi-Fi, food essentials, living supplies, cleaning and maintenance, four hours of car hire per month, and community events.

Oppidan tenants are also given unlimited use of all Ziferblats.

“Our first Oppidan has been a success story so far and we are looking forward to expanding the concept,” said Shenton. “The Swan Street Oppidan, situated on the corner of Oldham Street, was fully tenanted just three weeks after launching and tenants are actively making the concept work for them.

“Of the people who are co-living in Oppidan there are six different nationalities and an even gender balance. There’s also a combination of professionals and international students with the age demographic ranging from 18 to 55.

“If you are 18 or 80, it doesn’t matter. It’s about people and diversity as that’s what we know makes a true co-living environment. Urban loneliness is also something I feel passionately about and Oppidan is helping to combat what has been a rising problem for some time, particularly in London but in Manchester also.

“People still need people, arguably more than ever, and Oppidan Swan Street is addressing this societal issue by allowing tenants to rent a private apartment while also giving them access to the shared spaces that exist inside.”

Colin Shenton is speaking at the North West PRS conference on 16 January 2020. Please click here for further details regarding the event; tickets are available through the below form.