Come and try the resident space at our Brunswick Square location for one week, free of charge, no strings attached…
Created by creatives for creatives, Gather Round is more than a co-working space, it’s a growing network of like-minded professionals that go to work everyday and sit, write, design, consult and hang out.
Our residents room at Brunswick Square features beautiful Georgian windows that let in heaps of natural light. Our resident members benefit from their own fixed desk and a space to call their own whilst also having full access to the rest of the building (plus of course the packed events schedule!).
As a creative co-working space, we’re unique in the fact that we’re purposely built to cater for freelancers and businesses in the creative industries.
Fill out the form in the link below tell us a bit about yourself and one of our community managers will be in touch to book you in for your free trial in our resident area at Brunswick Square. We can’t wait to meet you!
For more info on our Brunswick Square location check out our locations page on our website.
On a warm June night, we launched our brand new event series with an inspiring and timely talk on “Building Creative Resilience”. Our inaugural event sold out in no time, and it was so motivating to see such a creative and varied group gather with marketers, writers, photographers, agency owners and designers making up the enthusiastic crowd.
To explore this hot topic, we brought together the great and good of the Bristol creative scene to share their rich knowledge and varied experiences on creative resilience. Our panel featured experts from freelance and small and big agency backgrounds to share a wide perspective. With plenty of time to mingle, enjoy complimentary drinks and eat delicious pizza, the atmosphere was lively, open and excited for the evening ahead.
Spencer Buck, the talented co-founder of Bristol-based design agency Taxi Studio, inspired and entertained the crowd with advice on the importance of remaining resilient in tough times. In an uncertain economic climate, it is easy for clients to be hesitant and opt for an easier path, but Spencer called on creatives to be bold, to stay true to themselves and to believe in the power of their creative integrity.
A memorable quote ‘Beware the lollipop of mediocracy, lick it once and you’ll suck forever’. A powerful metaphor of the perils of complacency!
After Spencer’s inspiring talk, the event transitioned into a dynamic panel discussion featuring Kendra Futcher of Writing + Thinking and Gareth Evans of 18Sixty. This immensely talented panel tackled a range of questions from the audience, delving into topics such as managing budgets, preserving the essence of creativity, maintaining a balance between client demands and creative integrity, and the controversial issue of whether or not to pitch for free. The conversations were genuine discussions, and the panel fostered an open environment for engaging insights.
The evening kicked off with ample opportunity for attendees to mingle and network before the main event. Stimulating conversations soon worked up everyone’s appetites, leading us to call on Bristol favourites, Pizzarova, to provide fresh margarita pizzas for all. Meanwhile, the fully stocked bar served up chilled beers and drinks. A special shout-out to our event sponsors Positive Drinks, for sharing their refreshing alcohol-free IPA and cider to a very grateful crowd!
Our event space is light, airy full of character and flexible. For information on private hire costs and availability get in touch.
We could have also called this blog – Holy Mackerel it is June, JUNE, Already I Can’t Believe It. But we don’t want to incite panic, nor come across like a fish-loving granny. But yes, friends, it is June and we are 6 months into a 12-month stretch. Summer is around the corner and before we know it we will be humming along to Mariah Carey as we peruse carbs and booze in the supermarket aisles. Just us? Don’t lie.
So! Six months are up and it’s the perfect time for a little reflection and alignment; celebrating the wins, learning from the mistakes and keeping an eye on the year-long to-do list. We’ve popped together a short guide on how to have your very own mid-year review.
As creative freelancers and small business owners, reflection is an invaluable tool. After all, how will you know if you don’t look? Take a moment to look back on the past six months and celebrate your achievements, both big and small. Ask yourself:
What were your proudest accomplishments?
What challenges did you overcome?
What did you learn from your experiences?
Did you stay aligned with your values and purpose?
What areas would you like to improve upon?
Did you manage to set goals at the beginning of the year? Now is the time to review each goal and evaluate your progress in achieving them. If not, pretend. We jest, but if you didn’t manage to set goals at the beginning of the year, skip this step. If you did, think about:
Which goals did you accomplish?
What were your obstacles?
Are there any goals that are no longer relevant or need adjusting?
What can you learn from your progress?
It’s time to set new goals. Keep these tips in mind:
Be Specific: Clearly define your goals and make them measurable. Instead of saying, ‘Acquire more clients’ say ‘Acquire five new clients in the next three months.’
Prioritise: Identify the most important goals that will have the greatest impact on your creative business.
Be realistic: Set goals that challenge you but are still within reach.
Align with Your Values: Ensure your goals align with your brand’s core values and long-term vision. This is the sense-check moment, are these goals right for you and your business?
Turn your goals into reality with a solid action plan. Break each goal down into smaller, actionable steps:
Set Milestones: Divide your goals into smaller milestones to help you track progress and stay motivated.
Identify Resources: Determine the resources, skills, or support you need to achieve your goals. This could include professional development, outsourcing or networking with peers.
Schedule Tasks: Allocate dedicated time in your calendar for working towards your goals. Treat these blocks of time as non-negotiable appointments with yourself.
Stay Accountable: Share your goals with a friend or fellow freelancer who can provide support and hold you accountable. Regular check-ins will keep you on track and motivated.
Taking the time for a mid-year review to reflect is an invaluable creative freelancer tool. Giving yourself the space to pause and assess your progress gives you a clearer direction for the months ahead as well as a chance to celebrate those achievements you might have missed :). Oh, we skipped Step Five: Let us know how you do! We’d love to hear if you took part in our mid-year review. Join us at one of our monthly breakfasts and we’ll share goals and reflections over a croissant and coffee.
Keep an eye out for future news and blogs from Gather Round via our website and on Instagram.
Words by Daisy Dobson
The Gather Round Summer Party is one of our favourite events in the member’s calendar, this year’s event will be Friday 12th July and we’re looking forward to it already!
Throughout the year we host parties and events to give our members space to gather and connect without a desk or coffee machine in sight. A more informal environment and a glass in hand gives everyone a chance to relax and get to know one another even better.
Last year we headed to Left Handed Giant Taproom with over 70 creatives for beers, snacks and tunes. The St Phillips brewery was the perfect relaxed location and their beers proved more than popular when we managed to drink them out of their signature ale Sky Above.
With a playlist of funk and soul, garage and house soundtracking the evening The Cheese Boys served up elite snacks of halloumi, yoghurt and pomegranate, mozzarella dippers and chips to a hungry crowd.
As well as members-only parties we host industry talks, creative workshops and gigs at our Brunswick Square and Cigar Factory spaces. From Enviral’s talk on ‘Why Business Needs To Integrate A More Activist Mindset’ to Illustrator Beth Suzanna’s collage workshop to Pirate Studios’ office party, our events calendar is as creative and colourful as our members.
Keep an eye out for future news and blogs via our website, on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Or get in touch to book a tour!
This month marks five years since we launched Gather Round. The seed of an idea that started back in 2019 has grown into two locations across Bristol, with plans for more expansion this autumn.
Over the past five years, Gather Round has grown and evolved. Towards the end of 2023, as we took time to reflect and talk with some of our members, we realised that the most rewarding aspect of working out of Gather Round stems from the people themselves. It’s the spontaneous conversations about things you know nothing about, the sharing of ideas, the odd collaborative projects and inspiration from everyone you meet.
With a growing network of 220+ like-minded creative professionals, Gather Round is a place built for its people; soaking up the energy, passion and positivity from the ideas and expertise of other creative folk. A place where work and life tend to blend, rather than balance.
With this in mind, we took a look at our brand strategy and designed a new brand that captures the energy of a growing, diverse creative community.
We enlisted the help of Fiasco and refreshed the brand under the strategic banner of ‘We’re More Creative Together’. The new strategy emphasises community first, and co-working second. Rather than being just a desk for hire, Gather Round is a place to belong and we wanted the new brand to reflect that. Because, unlike other co-working spaces, our members don’t just use the space — they shape it.
With such a diverse offering, we wanted a typographic system that would work hard to carry that message. Pairing serif (GT Alpina) and san serif (Nacelle) gives the identity a nostalgic tinge whilst still feeling fresh and current. When combined, the typography toes the line between creative flair and accessibility.
A bold, confident new colour palette grants the freedom to express the brand in a more playful, energetic way that talks directly to our members and an audience of creatives.
To add a dose of surrealism, Fiasco helped us to create a suite of illustrations that add moments of charm and wit to more functional areas of the brand experience – even the ‘Dishwasher in use’ sign!
Our new marketing materials effectively capture our vibrant programme of public and member events and creative gatherings across Bristol and Bath. Our events calendar reflects our strong sense of community and now the brand does too.
Alongside Fiasco, we collaborated with talented local illustrator Con McHugh to create a series of striking t-shirts for our staff and members. Keep your eyes peeled, these will be available soon.
Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on Linkedin for updates and some exciting announcements coming soon!
Words by Daisy Dobson.
Gather Round opened its doors back in 2019 and since then, we’ve hosted incredible events, nurtured countless collaborations and welcomed over 220 members. Together we’ve celebrated (often), commiserated (occasionally) and laughed (a lot). As they say, it’s been a ride! To mark our fifth year we’re committed to giving back, in more ways than one, to the creative community that is our life force.
We’re spreading the love to members, non-members and emerging talents within Bristol’s creative community. This summer we’re launching a series of free events open to BCI members and all creatives in the South West. We’ve recently refreshed our brand and launched a new website, please take a look and let us know what you think, we’d love to hear your feedback!
We caught up with Co-Founder Jason to reflect on our first five years in business, the surprises encountered while running a coworking space and what he has learnt from being part of a creative community.
I can’t look back on the last five years without thinking about two of the biggest moments of my life happening right at the same time. The birth of my first daughter and the build of our flagship space the Cigar Factory.Not exactly great timing, but due to build deadlines it unfortunately meant working from the hospital where I spent just under a week with my daughter. The experience of becoming a father for the first time gave me an overwhelming sense of drive and determination to make things work, not only for my new family but also for the vision we had for Gather Round. Pressure can be a positive thing!
With many years in the planning, myself and Ben Steers launched Gather Round at the Cigar Factory, Southville in 2019. Our dream of a coworking space built by creatives for creatives had become a reality. We were genuinely happy and proud of the space and the environment that we had created, our first members are our friends to this day. Amongst our initial success, we understood Gather Round would only stand the test of time if its community grew and opportunities for our members alongside it.
The idea behind Gather Round was born from our own growing pains, running a creative studio – Fiasco Design. We were officially the first tenants of Gather Round. Working within the space ourselves was intentional, we believed in the concept and so did our team. Our own needs as a studio heavily influenced our decisions when creating Gather Round and that was incredibly important for us.
The community began to grow at the Cigar Factory and connections were being made organically. The flow of space was working with our approach to the design and the feedback we received was incredibly supportive. And importantly, our own creative team really enjoyed the space.
But after only 6 short months we simply had to shut our doors. Covid had struck.
This didn’t seem to stop our community though; even when we weren’t physically together, there was such a feeling of solidarity, at a lonely time. It was truly moving. Through the good times and the bad, people were there for one another, with genuine friendships and connections shining through.
It was partly being surrounded by this positivity we decided to launch Brunswick Square our second location in central Bristol. Of course, people told us we were incredibly stupid and that remote working would become the norm, but we still had faith in the basic need for human interaction. The same interaction that had sparked such special connections.
Our approach to Brunswick Square was all about the flexibility to accommodate a completely new approach to working, as well as rebuilding a community. A community of creatives who had all been through their own struggles. Making sure people had a safe space that welcomed them back after lockdown was absolutely crucial.
At Gather Round, bringing people together and fostering a creative community that blossoms has always been at the heart of our mission. We are now celebrating our 5th year with over 220 current members. We always knew that creativity thrived off engagement, inspiration and connections, and looking back on the community that has grown from Gather Round, we can see it now too.
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to get your hands on free tickets to our public events. Numbers are limited, we have a feeling they’ll go quickly!
Follow us on Instagram for more info (teaser – there will be free pizza, a fully stocked bar and speakers from some of Bristols top creative organisations!).
Words edited by the Gather Round copywriter Daisy Dobson
Our production spaces at Brunswick Sq are a blank canvas in a unique building, powered by creativity, our spaces are designed to host creative production in all its forms.
This week, Gather Round launched ‘The Artist’s Way’, a 12-week workshop series based on the award-winning book by Julia Cameron. We discuss what our members can expect from the workshop, and how the space creates the perfect environment for unlocking creative flow.
While it’s possible to complete the book on your own, creative facilitator Natasha Bergg champions the benefits of completing the book as a group, this is something she’s passionate about sharing with the members at Gather Round:
“In this space there’s the genuine opportunity to establish a supportive, sacred circle where members can begin to develop their authentic creative selves, cheerlead each other and hold each other accountable as we move forward through the process as a community. I’m excited to see what connections are made and look forward to seeing the creative sparks fly!”
Our production spaces are completely closed off from the rest of the world which makes them the perfect place to host this intimate workshop. Situated on the lower ground floor of Brunswick Square – our St Pauls location, this beautiful Georgian building is an ideal location for anyone wanting a quiet space with easy access to the city centre.
More info on hiring the spaces at Gather Round: https://gather-round.co/production-space/
Photography, filmmaking, production, workshops, and everything in between; in this article we share the many wonderful uses of our production studios.
When urban art meets stop frame animation – Giants at Play is the result.
Danny Cappozzi and his very talented team set up camp in our production space for 7 weeks last year to film the stunning animation ‘TURALIO – 21 Grams’. We loved seeing their stop motion skills in action!
Giants at Play create award winning beautifully crafted Stop Motion commercials, Idents Short form for TV and Online. Alongside these productions they also offer ‘Behind the scenes / Making of’ films which show the craft and care that goes into each bespoke project they lovingly make.
Aside from the fact our studios are underground (there is no natural light if you need a dark space), they also have enhanced acoustics.
In March we are hosting a Gong Bath by the legendary Pip Roberts from Now Studios. Gong baths are highly rejuvenating for the body and bring about an overall sense of relaxation. Pip will be holding space for our members and the public to reconnect with themselves and head into the new season feeling refreshed. For info on how to sign up to a gong bath follow us on Instagram.
Rozenn Logan from The NEST (an arts programme for young people in care funded by the Fostering Network) brought some colour into our production studio for a full day creative workshop.
Roz told us: ‘We used the screens in the space and we brought loads of art materials in. It was great to have such a blank canvas, we could switch up the space during different parts of the day’.
We are also very excited to be hosting a 12 week workshop for our members, focused on ‘The Artists Way’ in our production space. This long course is aimed at people looking to expand their creativity. This could be in writing, painting, dancing… pretty much any form of creative expression.
The two spaces are blank canvases in a unique building. Powered by creativity, they are designed to host creative production in all its forms, you do your thing and we’ll provide the space with some handy extras.
Situated on the lower ground floor of Brunswick Square – our St Pauls location, this beautiful Georgian building is an ideal location for anyone wanting a quiet space with easy access to the city centre.
Contact us for more info & get 10% off your first booking:
https://gather-round.co/production-space/
There are several things that make Gather Round the best co-working space in Bristol for people in the creative industry: from our packed events calendar and monthly breakfasts to our beautiful interiors and members-first attitude, we’ve rounded up what makes Gather Round a great place to be.
It all starts with the community; what makes Gather Round unique is that the spaces are designed by creatives, for creatives.
With over 200 creatives calling Gather Round home it’s safe to say we’re packed to the rafters. From graphic designers to writers and directors, photographers, marketers and web designers we hold host to the gamut of Bristol’s creatives. It makes for stimulating conversation in the kitchen and we love bringing everyone together over monthly breakfasts and after-work drinks. Our Campfire Talks see members share their latest project or expertise on a specialist subject over a coffee and a pastry on the sofas.
Creativity breeds creativity, that’s why we’ve put a lot of thought into the materials and environment that surround us. We’ve chosen bold prints on the walls, epic wraparound sofas and inspirational pieces to bring the Gather Round spaces to life. Greenery lifts Brunswick Square and Cigar Factory and lighting visually defines spaces. We worked with artists to create one-off pieces that bring a unique finish to our historic buildings.
Our events calendar gets better and better. Parties, secret gigs, talks and discussions and screenings make up our What’s On calendar and we’re proud of the interesting folk that pass through our doors. Highlights so far have been the infamous Pirate Studio parties, Sofar Sounds holding court on the Brunswick sofa and the Motion Folks event that sold out in 4 minutes!
What do you get when you mix a load of creatives in one room? Magic, that’s what! Our members have worked together on innovative projects with ideas starting over the kitchen table that morph into big, bold launches and businesses. From digital marketing and design to web builds and photography, it’s a guarantee that wherever you are there’s always someone to bounce ideas around with.
Cigar Factory and Brunswick Square are within 10 minutes of Temple Meads, on bus routes and have ample bike and scooter parking outside, making it super simple to access your working day. Alongside a handy commute, we’re handily placed for when you need to get outdoors. For our Brunswick Square members, Portland Square’s park is perfect for a fresh air break or walking meeting whilst Cigar Factory can head to Greville Smyth park for greenery. You’re spoilt for choice with lunch spots with some of Bristol’s best eateries a stones throw away.
If you’re a creative professional and you’d like to join our motley crew, get in touch! Sign up as a resi member this spring to get your first month free:
https://gather-round.co/one-month-free/
Since opening in October, Gather Round Brunswick Square is already home to a bustling creative community. For a limited time only, Gather Round are offering a free day pass so you can try out the new space for yourself.
Designed for creatives, by creatives
Bristol-based Gather Round is a growing family of unique, soulful, creative workspaces, purposefully designed for creatives by creatives. Its mission is to build remarkable co-working spaces where creative thinkers and doers can connect, collaborate and thrive.
Founded by Fiasco Design owners, Ben Steers and Jason Smith, Gather Round’s flagship workspace in the Cigar Factory, Southville, opened its doors to Bristol’s curious creative community in 2019. The second space on Brunswick Square, St Pauls, opened last month and supports up to 90 professionals; freelancers, self-employed and micro businesses, from the surrounding areas of St Pauls, Montpelier, Easton, St George, Kingsdown and more.
Split over three floors, the beautiful Grade II listed building provides flexible areas with fixed and casual desks, private studios, meeting rooms, hang-out areas, communal tables and quiet areas for contemplation. It also boasts a dedicated private event space with a 60-person capacity.
A community of creatives
Its members are a truly eclectic and talented bunch; designers, writers, filmmakers, publishers, photographers, brand strategists and more. The supportive, collaborative community is valued as highly by members as the beautifully designed workspaces themselves: “Collaborating with exciting and interesting individuals is what gets me out of bed in the morning. – Gareth Rutter, Founder and Creative Director of Bellow Studio.
Gather Round offers private studio, resident and co-working membership options, with part-time flexible co-working costing £110 per month (plus VAT), and full-time memberships from £195 (plus VAT).
Get Your Free Day Pass Today
Knowing that signing up to a co-working space can feel like a big step, Gather Round are offering a free day pass* for Brunswick Square so you can try out the space for yourself. Get your free day pass here.
*For November only.
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