£900,000 deal secured to transform iconic York building into work and community hub

Social-impact startup, Patch, which is garnering a reputation across the UK for reigniting the high street, today announces the upcoming opening of its 12,000sqft neighbourhood workspace in York’s historic building – the Bonding Warehouse. The deal, which is worth £900,000, is scheduled to open in January 2025 and will support business growth in the local area.

With a proven track record of building coworking and community hubs to reinvigorate high streets and town centres, Patch is working in collaboration with the City of York Council to bring new use to the Bonding Warehouse. Occupying what was formerly the headquarters of unicorn tech company, Anaplan, the initiative will transform the historic riverside warehouse, reopening it to the community and creating sought-after dedicated space for the local tech and creative industry.

Boasting riverside views, design-led interiors, high quality work infrastructure and a programme of community events, Patch will support the ongoing sustainable development of the local and surrounding areas.

Targeting York’s established education and technology sectors, burgeoning digital media scene as well as the thriving ecosystem of local independent makers, it will form a lively hub that nurtures academic growth, learning, innovation and creativity, championing a skilled workforce and supportive infrastructure. It will also provide multi-functional event space for social-impact organisations, social enterprises and charities, connecting business with local residents and promoting a greater sense of community pride.

Freddie Fforde, founder and CEO of Patch, explained: “Our mission is to establish Patch as York's leading destination for startups and small businesses. Housed within the historic Bonding Warehouse, Patch is poised to become a vibrant hub for entrepreneurs, creatives and community builders. Our spaces are thoughtfully designed to encourage work; collaboration; and genuine connection, fostering an environment that sparks creativity and drives sustainable growth. We are excited to welcome everyone into our community as we collectively shape York’s future as a flourishing centre for entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Cllr Pete Kilbane, executive member for Economy and Culture at City of York Council, said: "I am thrilled with the news that Patch has selected York for the new co-working, innovation and community hub, and that our Inward Investment team, with partners, have been able to support in getting this established in our city. The investment will provide an exciting space for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents to collaborate, create, and thrive in the heart of the city, adding to the long list of reasons why York is a great place to do business.

He continued: "The Bonding Warehouse is a proud symbol of York's industrial heritage that has adapted over the years to host offices, hospitality and residential accommodation. It is a great example of how a historic city can adapt to the needs of the modern world. Patch is a very welcome addition to the building and York's business community. I look forward to visiting when opens."

This new riverside destination, which is situated in the heart of the city and a 20-minute walk to the train station, will offer design-led coworking spaces and offices, alongside areas for community and cultural uses. Patch will serve as a cornerstone for York’s startup community, featuring a range of boutique offices for up to 50 people. With generous coworking studios that boast panoramic river views, this space will foster collaboration and creativity among its members. When fully occupied, Patch is expected to host over 50 companies and approximately 400 coworking members, transforming the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The space, which extends over two floors, has been carefully crafted to create an environment that supports a fantastic workday experience, from focused tasks to team collaboration. The design combines the building’s original features—such as wooden floors, vaulted brick ceilings, and large arched windows that fill the space with natural light—with modern amenities, including super-fast Wi-Fi, bespoke contemporary furniture, ergonomic chairs, electric standing desks, second screens, focus booths for private work, complimentary bean-to-cup coffee and plenty of plants.

As a vibrant startup and creative hub, Patch will cultivate a diverse network of businesses, cultural organisations and community groups. Public spaces will include multi-purpose event areas, well-equipped meeting rooms, and a state-of-the-art podcast studio, making it a dynamic venue for producing podcasts, organising workshop series, or hosting startup summits. Designed to foster connections and collaboration, Patch will celebrate York’s rich culture of innovation, empowering individuals and startups to build and share their ideas.

Patch is the UK’s trailblazer for transforming buildings into spaces that serve both businesses and the community. Introducing the relatively new but proven concept of ‘work near home’ the vision centres on reinvesting time, money and talent into people and reconnecting them with their communities.

Access to the studios and meeting rooms will be bookable by the hour, accommodating individuals and groups organising events ranging from creative writing classes and cinema clubs to sewing workshops and startup summits. There are a range of flexible coworking membership packages available, providing access to workspace on a part time or full-time basis. If you’re interested to find out more or would like to sign up to the wait list, please email alexa@patch.work or visit website www.patch.work/locations/york

The announcement comes ahead of the opening of Patch in Bournemouth in November which will see a former Debenhams store transformed in a deal worth £2m. Since its launch in 2020, Patch has created neighbourhood workspaces in Chelmsford, High Wycombe and Twickenham, in addition to the imminent openings in York and Bournemouth. Patch’s long-term vision is to be on every UK high street as part of the company’s mission to redistribute opportunity for people, work and communities more evenly across the country.