Co-working space for start-ups launched in Sydney’s iconic Redfern

A new co-working space has opened on Pitt Street in Redfern, one of Sydney’s most iconic and eclectic suburbs.

The R88 Business Hub is for start-ups and small businesses. Residents can book a desk, access the hub and internet and use the shared spaces for a range of rates, depending on space size.

The space was launched by business consultant Mary-Lynne Pidcock, the president of the South Sydney Business Chamber (SSBC). She owns the building in which the new space and the SSBC is located.

Pidcock told StartupSmart Redfern and wider Sydney were teeming with ideas, but lacked the support and space to bring these to market.

“I find there are a lot small businesses and a lot of start-ups that are locating themselves in Redfern and the city fringe, but they’re often working alone,” says Pidcock.

“I understand flexibility is wonderful and technology is great to be able to be anywhere. The sense of collaboration and being part of a group of people, that energy, the referral network and feedback are essential to a productive life and business.”

The space has 27 desks, nine of which have been filled. Pidcock says she designed the pricing system with flexibility in mind.

“With start-ups, there may be two people, so if they want to share the desk we’ve created a 50% discount, so it’s affordable and flexible,” says Pidock.

The desks are located in four groups around a central courtyard, and the space is laid out to provide quieter spaces as well as collaborative ones.

The hub is housed in an award-winning sustainable green building. The hub’s approach has been formed around sustainable principles, but residents do not need to be working on green projects.

“Sustainability is often narrowly defined, but I believe it needs to be approached more broadly, and include financial and social consideration,” says Pidcock.

“I believe another part of sustainability is diversity, so we’re not looking for all the businesses that might be traditionally defined as being part of the sustainability sector. Learning and transfer of knowledge, with a greater perspective, is more likely if we have a diversity of businesses.”

More details about the co-working hub can be found here.