New hybrid workspace for Clon
The world’s largest provider of hybrid working solutions is planning to open a state-of-the-art flexible workspace in West Cork Business & Technology Park, Clonakilty this summer as the demand for hybrid working accelerates.
Regus Clonakilty will be a 8,200 sq. feet workspace which will accommodate 120-150 people and will include co-working spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and a business lounge.
IWG, whose brandsinclude Spaces and Regus are opening it in partnership with two local dairy Co-ops - Drinagh and Lisavaird, who have entered into a management agreement with the Regus brand.
IWG say “unprecedented demand” means it will add 1,000 new locations over the next year. IWG has 3,500 locations in more than 120 countries. Hybrid working offers companies a significantly lower cost base with an average saving of over €11k per employee.
Demand for workspaces in Cork has risen strongly, with the number of enquiries for space in IWG locations continuing to sharply increase, the company said.
Drinagh and Lisavaird Dairy Co-ops decided to invest in the IWG platform to maximise the return on their real estate space by capitalising on the rapidly expanding demand for hybrid working. With an annual investment of around €50m into its technology platform, IWG provides partners with access to all the company’s expertise as well as design and fit-out support and sales and marketing capabilities.
The new offices in Clonakility will comprise of a variety of facilities. The building will host already established firms and start-ups across a range of industries in West Cork, accommodating between 120-150 people.
Conventional office occupancy will continue to fall as businesses require less traditional space and turn to flexible workspace instead. In 2022, IWG welcomed hundreds of new partner locations and is on track to add around 1,000 over the course of the next year.
Mark Dixon, CEO & Founder of IWG, commented: “We are establishing a stronger and much-needed footprint in Ireland with this latest opening in Cork. As an important business hub, Clonakilty is a fantastic place for us to boost our expansion plans. The need for high-quality flexible workspaces continues to soar as hybrid working becomes the new normal.
“Our opening in West Cork Business & Technology Park in Clonakility comes at a time when more and more companies are discovering that flexible working boosts employee happiness and satisfaction, while helping the environment. Our workplace model is also proven to increase productivity and allows for a business to scale up or down at significantly reduced costs.”
Pat Moriarty CEO Lisavaird Co-Op and Seamus Daly CEO Drinagh Co-Op commented: “As two companies imbedded in the West Cork community for almost 100 years, we are excited by this opportunity to partner with IWG in creating a local employment hub. This facility will allow people who currently have to travel out of West Cork the chance to work locally as well as providing workspace for individuals and companies who may wish to establish themselves here.
IWG’s multi-brand expansion strategy is designed to appeal to every type of business and entrepreneur.”