The launch of a new co-working office space in Swansea has been welcomed by entrepreneurs, inspiring creators and company owners who currently work from home.

The Hive, located in the former flourmill at the back of Uplands Crescent in the heart of Uplands, Swansea, has been renovated to provide a range of facilities that one would typically need to run a successful business.

The ground floor of the building hosts meeting room space – which has been designed to amplify creativity and inspiration – while the first floor and terrace accommodates full-time members with a large comfortable open area for drop in sessions, as well as providing access to high-end technology and devices.

The rise of co-working and meeting spaces like The Hive allows like-minded business people to network and gain inspiration from working alongside successful entrepreneurs. It also adds a level of flexibility to workers, with the Hive renting out space on retainer contracts which are renewed every three months.

The venue was launched at an event held by Swansea Bay Futures, the organisation set up over ten years ago to help connect and promote businesses and organisations in the Swansea Bay region. With a number of high profile members including Swansea City AFC, The Liberty Stadium and Penderyn Whiskey, Swansea Bay Futures was the ideal partner for the event.

Julia Hill, Owner of The Hive, said:

“The Hive is something I have been passionate about creating and introducing to local businessmen and women for quite some time. With the development of Uplands in recent years, I knew it would be an area that would attract business owners and start-ups due to its socialising and networking opportunities. “Once we were ready to launch the The Hive, we approached Swansea Bay Futures to help us connect with key businesses in the area and support us in organising an opening event to show case the new co-working space and its opportunities. We were over the moon with turn out and have already had some great quality contacts. We look forward to seeing where The Hive will go in 2018!”

Local business owner, Dawn Lyle of iCreate, added:

“The Hive is an asset for Uplands and will no doubt become a focus for the business community. It's just what small businesses and home-workers need, a professional workspace that is also full of personality, I love it!”

The successful launch event for The Hive was the latest of a number of successful events held by Swansea Bay Futures in 2017.

Most recently, also in December, Swansea Bay Futures organised a promotional event for the Santander Bike Scheme event, Race across the City, which aims to raise money for a bike share scheme in Swansea.

Helen Bowden, chief executive of Swansea Bay Futures, rounded up friends from her previous place of work, The Wave, to help. As a result, the event helped the scheme raise over £100,000 (way over its £54,000 target) for the bike share plans.

Mike O’Carroll, business development & marketing manager of Santander, said:

“Thanks to Swansea Bay Futures who has wholeheartedly supported this initiative and helped us with our event to create more awareness. The support we get from organisations like this who connect and promote the region is invaluable.”

In November, Swansea Bay Futures also organised a networking launch hosted by Kier Construction at the recently opened La Parrilla in Oyster Wharf, Mumbles. Kier presented on their work in the region while updates on new developments were provided from both Carmarthen and Swansea Council via Cllr Mark James and Cllr Robert Francis-Davies.

Guests also heard from Neil Jenkins, director of Milford Have Port Authority, who discussed developments at the port; and Nigel Short, director of Penderyn, who discussed the whisky maker’s plans to develop Swansea’s old copperworks site.

Jason Taylor, operations director, Kier Construction Western and Wales, said: