Halifax’s Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre bounces back from COVID stronger than ever

Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre (EWIC) is looking to the future with optimism thanks to its refreshed communal and meeting spaces, as well as in-demand office spaces. The Centre, a social enterprise that offers flexible workspaces with a purpose, is part of Halifax Opportunities Trust. As businesses begin to bounce back so is EWIC, which is seeing increasing demand for its office spaces from local organisations searching for a new work home.

The Centre took the uncertain times COVID presented as an opportunity to refocus and revive its offer for businesses in the local area of Calderdale, which is proving to pay off with a once again thriving business hub in the centre of Halifax. It is currently home to over 50 businesses in industries ranging from finance to care, education to sales, and has a healthy visitor footfall on a daily basis.

The new-look centre has optimised it’s bright, welcoming reception and atrium space with modern features and botanicals that complement its textile mill heritage. Breathing in new life, with semi-private meeting zones and casual work areas that enhance use for visitors, the space has been transformed into a functional yet inviting destination for businesses and the public, alike.

Jason Bell, business centres lead, comments: “It’s great to see Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre buzzing with activity again. With an uncertain road ahead when the pandemic struck, we took the opportunity to improve the Centre’s communal and meeting spaces, so people could hit the ground running once restrictions lifted.

“We’ve worked hard to create an enjoyable experience for anyone who visits Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre. Our meeting spaces have been fitted with state-of-the-art technology to make conferencing easy, whether on a local or global scale, as well as introducing contemporary features that make the spaces flexible to most user requirements. On top of this, our atrium has new considered zones that welcome casual working to support freelance, hybrid and flexible work patterns, which is a popular addition.”

The Centre is also home to Café No.5, which is open weekdays from 7.30am – 3pm, welcoming the general public as well as businesses from the Centre and the wider Halifax area. The Café offers catering for those using the meeting spaces at Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, as well as set-menus for those pitching up and working from their laptop.

Alison Haskins, CEO of Halifax Opportunities Trust, says: “As a social enterprise our key focus is to reinvest into our facilities, so we can continue delivering high quality services. The Centre not only looks great, but we hope that businesses who call this space their home feel great working here, too. This extends to all of our visitors; we want everyone who comes to the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre to feel like they are a part of our growing community.”

Whether looking for a dedicated desk in a modern space, a day or two in a co-working environment, or something a little more permanent; the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre is home to a whole host of spaces that allow local businesses to optimise productivity, hone their craft and grow.