Poole’s FOUNDRY has been named the best workplace on the South Coast.
The £3m development in the Dolphin Centre has brought 250 office workers to Poole and helped drive a sharp rise in footfall in the town centre. FOUNDRY and landlord L&G Real Assets took the Workplace of the Year title at the South Coast Property Awards, held at the Hilton Southampton. Ema Armstrong, General Manager at FOUNDRY Poole, said the workspace had proved popular with people who had been working at home but missed human contact.
“A lot of people miss the black and white of being either at work or at home, rather than the grey of remote working,” she said.
“At FOUNDRY, they feel they can put their head down and get on with lots of work, but also have people to say hello to. And at the end of the day, they can finish up and switch off and enjoy a good work-life balance. “Many say it’s great for their mental wellbeing and that they’re also more productive than they would be at home.”
The workspace, based in a previously empty part of the Dolphin Centre, mixes serviced offices with cubicles and hot desking for freelance workers. Some members who initially committed to one day a week at FOUNDRY had increased that to three days or more, said Ema. FOUNDRY is also home to Barclays Eagle Labs, which runs around 16 events a month there. A monthly pizza and networking session typically brings 80 extra people to visit the site. As well as spending money in town centre shops, cafes and restaurants, many FOUNDRY members take part in regular events including boxing, climbing and yoga.
L&G’s data shows footfall in the centre has increased by 3% since FOUNDRY opened.
“We call it the FOUNDRY Factor,” said Ema.
“People enjoy the connections, having someone to talk to and feeling a part of something.
“It’s more than an office. People feel they’re part of a community where they can learn from each other and support one another.”
Footfall data collected by BCP Council earlier this year showed a 10% year-on-year rise in visitor numbers in the town centre. Visitors were spending 31% longer on average in the town centre than they did five years ago. The Workplace of the Year title at the South Coast Property Awards was sponsored by LGCS Fitout. FOUNDRY pipped fellow finalists Clockwise Southampton, Lakeside North Harbour and Ridge & Partners to the title. The awards brought together developers, agents, planners, consultants, property lawyers and dealmakers from across the region. Headline sponsor was Amiri Construction.
You can learn more about FOUNDRY Poole at https://www.foundryuk.com/poole