New rural co-working space launched

Lancashire’s first truly rural co-working space has opened its doors in Mawdesley. The Hive, which is located in Cedar Farm’s stunning new barn renovation offers desk space for 16 freelancers, start-ups and creatives looking for an office set in one of the region’s most idyllic locations.

The Hive promises to set itself apart from city centre and business park shared workspaces – combining a brand new and modern office space with the added mental health benefits of the great outdoors, beautiful countryside and Cedar Farm’s friendly farm animals just outside the window.

Located above Cedar Farm’s newly renovated food hub and communal dining space, The Hive’s residents have the option of working from a large communal desk or securing an individual colour coded pod which houses a desk and space to store belongings and lock them away.

Alongside the desks and resident eateries the farm is also home to print, graphic and artwork specialists and has a separate courses room that’s available to book for meetings and workshops, whilst on-site yoga classes provide the ideal way to strike a work and wellbeing balance.

Rachael Smith who is running The Hive alongside partner Martin Davies, said: “The Hive offers a truly unique co-working space – in fact, it is the first of its kind in the region and will provide people living in the area a completely new-take on the co-working phenomenon.

“The beauty of this work space is that it’s set in the beautiful rural countryside, yet still within a buzzy and thriving location – with diverse food outlets, complementary businesses and health and wellness facilities all available on site. Not to mention the farm’s friendly chickens, ducks and goats – who better to go and visit if you need to clear your head or thrash out some new ideas!

Davies continued: “The number of freelancers and start-ups have increased significantly since the pandemic and co-working spaces are seeing a huge resurgence in popularity as people look to make a move back into an office environment – but after having learnt to work with increased flexibility and autonomy, people just don’t want to comprise.

“Commuting long distances and working from a characterless box just won’t cut it these days. People understand the mental health benefits of working close to home, of being amongst beautiful scenery and the great outdoors and being able to step away from their work to walk in the countryside or grab a coffee or bite to eat.

“This is what The Hive is able to offer – an inspirational co-working setting for people who want more than just the 9-5. The addition of the new food hub, coupled with the entrepreneurs and creatives who will be working from The Hive, is set to bring a really great buzz to the whole of the farm. We have been overwhelmed with enquiries about the space and are confident that the desks will be filling up fast.”