Pre-pandemic, Glossop’s cafes and bars were packed full of freelancers and self employed workers merrily tapping away on their laptops while enjoying skinny lattes and pots of tea. And, although Covid-19 has undoubtedly impacted the number of self employed people nationwide, the freelance workforce still comprises over 4.3 million people nationwide - a figure not to be sniffed at.
The High Peak punches above its weight, too. In 2020, there were 9,100 self employed people in the region, which is approximately 2% higher than the national British average.
Although there are many challenges to being freelance, there are heaps of benefits, too - including increased flexibility, unlimited earning potential and the ability - in many cases - to work where you like. And if you're lucky enough to work from a laptop, all you need is wifi and a dream!
Although we do have some great shared office facilities in Glossop, as well as a plethora of coffee shops and cafes that welcome freelancers, it's clear that there is a growing need for more creative office space that can be used flexibly by both self employed workers and small businesses.
With plans and ideas for more spaces in the future pipeline, we quizzed the Glossop Creates social media followers to tell us about their favourite places to work in the town for freelance writers, creatives and small business owners...
Here are our eight favourites - and it goes without saying that we cannot wait to get back through their welcoming doors when the restrictions lift later this year!
Glossop Gasworks
The Gasworks, situated on Arudel Street, is a brilliant hub for Glossop's business community. Offering everything from serviced offices to hot desking and meeting rooms for hire, the perfectly-located building with its loft-style shared working spaces is a real lifesaver for the business requirements of the town's small businesses and freelance consultants. The pricing options are very affordable, too.
The Gallery Suite at The Business Centre, Old Co-op Building
The brilliant Business Centre is a location which boasts one of the best views in Glossop with windows that look out onto beautiful Norfolk Square. The facility has hot desking and co-working spaces and has plans to expand, too - great news for Glossop's network of independent businesses.
For any enquiries, get in touch with Eric Taylor who looks after the space while running High Peak Creative.
Panaderia Blue
This beautiful addition to the High Street positions itself as an artisan coffee shop and bakery, and prides itself on offering tip top quality drinks and food. A warm and welcoming space for small meetings, it also gives freelancers on laptops a gorgeous space to get some work done! The cakes are unreal, just to warn anyone who's trying to eat healthily!
Shepley's Cafe
This gorgeous little cafe nestled in the heart of Old Glossop is a great one for warmer weather, as it boasts a covered outdoor seating area with riverside views. It also sells vegetarian food which has attracted a real following with Glossop's non meat-eaters!
Situated in such a pretty spot, this quiet, peaceful place is perfect if you need to get your head down and finish some work away from the bustle of the town centre.
Pepino Deli
Ahh we just adore Pepino! Although the business has pivoted well during lockdown to provide take-out treats, the cafe is a bustling, joyous and friendly place to sit in and do some work during normal circumstances.
Serving strictly vegan delights, Glossop's plant-based crew or anyone wanting to eat less animal-derived foods can delight in the range of home-cooked dishes, sharer plates, bagels, burgers, oat-milk lattes and epic cakes. You can also pick up a variety of lovely deli items to take home.
The Oakwood
This glorious Glossop go-to is perfectly situated to welcome a host of freelance talent into its large bar space, and has been known in the past to offer a range of incentives such as free coffee top ups for anyone wanting to stay there for the duration and work on their laptops. The wifi is also pretty awesome, and there are loads of plug sockets!
Serving a lovely lunchtime menu, which always seems to offer something new (and always offers some awesome pizza action), you can grab some good grub and celebrate the end of a good day ‚"at work" with an expertly made cocktail or craft beer...
Harvey Leonard's Wine & Ale
One of our favourites! Why not set up in Harvey Leonard's beautiful space in the old Conservative Club and crack on with some work (or watch the world go by) whilst enjoying a glass of fine wine? This fabulous independent business, experty run by Steven and Suzanne, also offers a range of sharing platters featuring a to-die-for smorgasbord of cheese and charcuterie meats.
The perfect place for a Friday afternoon, we think...the perfect mix for work and play.
Pico Lounge
Although Pico is not an indie business, being part of the wider Loungers Group, it's a brilliant asset to Glossop because of its sheer size. This huge yet incredibly friendly space pretty much caters for everyone - from freelancers beavering away on laptops, business meet-ups and mums getting together for a chinwag with their tiny ones in tow, Pico has room for everyone. The coffee is pretty good, too, and we are rather big fans of its ever changing specials menu and super cake selection!
Tell us about your favourite places to work from in the comments...
