‘Work Café’ concept to promote business will launch in city centre

Leeds has been chosen for the first Santander UK Work Café which officially opens on Thursday 18 July.

The innovative concept was initially developed by Santander in Chile and its success has since seen it rolled out to Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Argentina.

Alongside banking facilities, the Work Café will offer free co-working spaces and meeting rooms for local businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as fast and secure free-WiFi. It aims to create a hub for nurturing new business ideas and fostering collaboration in a relaxed atmosphere.

Located at 10 Park Row, Leeds, the facility will also bring back to life a branch which was closed at the end of June last year, welcoming both Santander and non-Santander customers.

The bank has teamed up with coffee experts Taylor St Coffee, with every hot drink prepared by trained baristas. Santander card holders will get a 30% discount on hot drinks with snacks available on site.

The hub will be officially opened by Susan Allen, Head of Retail and Business Banking.

To mark the occasion, members of the public are invited to take a tour of the hub and attend one of the Work Café Talks designed to help businesses succeed.

 

Allen said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to open the doors to our first Work Café in the UK in Leeds.

“More than a café and more than a bank, the Work Café is a whole new banking experience, acting as a vibrant hub for local businesses and the local community.

“Work Cafés have been a huge success with our customers in other countries around the world, so we’re really looking forward to seeing the response here in the UK.

“With its growing reputation as an innovative city attracting strong digital talent and as one of the largest financial hubs outside of London, Leeds is the perfect place for the new Work Café.”

Alongside the co-working spaces and bookable meeting rooms the facility will host free talks and events aimed at the local business community.

Thirteen employees will be on hand to offer support, with appointments available for people to seek advice on site.

 

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