Lakes hotel set to be transformed into creative workspace

MANCHESTER-based property regeneration company Watch This Space has completed the acquisition of the former Duke William hotel in Staveley town centre in Cumbria with plans to transform it into “Billy’s Space” – a working environment for creative businesses in the area.

Watch This Space, founded by Michelle Rothwell, has submitted a planning application to convert the Grade II-listed building into nine dedicated workspaces with their own front doors, suitable for offices or leisure use.
 
In addition to transforming the existing building, the proposals also include the creation of a highly flexible new build space which will be built at the end of the existing property.

Watch this Space spent time speaking with the local community to hear their thoughts on the building’s future and held an event where a hundred people from the area came to see the plans for the scheme.

Rothwell explained: “The Duke William was in a really sorry state having been passed from owner to owner and left derelict for the last 18 months, which has given way to damp and rot.

“It’s just the kind of building that Watch This Space likes to get its hands on and bring back to life.
 
“Billy’s Space will be pioneering for the area and by regenerating this property, we can help create a hub for the next generation of businesses where they can collaborate and grow.

“Giving businesses their own identity is central to the thinking behind this scheme and so, with that in mind, we’re giving occupiers the opportunity to purchase their own space, something which is largely unheard of for businesses of this size.

“The refurbishment will take approximately nine months to complete and once finished each creative space will have its own kitchen facilities, toilets, showers, bike facilities and some of them will even have their own log fires.”

The deal follows on from the completion of 31-33 Princess Street in Manchester city centre and also the recent launch of “That Space”, the UK’s first property co-working.
The property was purchased for an undisclosed sum. Watch This Space represented themselves.  

Jenics advised the vendor, which was a private landlord.