The Coalface, Finsbury Park’s new business hub, supports neighbouring Park Theatre with free office space.

The Coalface, Finsbury Park’s first co-working space, which opened last month in Clifton House, Wells Terrace, has already started to have an impact on the local community having offered its neighbour, Park Theatre, a free office space. Chief Operating Officer of The Coalface, Jonathan Hausmann, explains the decision:

“Since opening last month, we have of course been keen to meet with neighbouring businesses and organisations – to introduce ourselves and also to explore opportunities to offer discounts to our members. During a meeting with Park Theatre, I noticed that the team were operating out of a pretty small office and, knowing the incredible work they do, wanted to help out. We have some really great office space available that we felt they could perhaps benefit from.

“Park Theatre needs to fundraise over £250,000 a year just to stay open, and receives no public subsidy. We are more than happy to do what we can to support them; they are clearly an incredibly valuable part of the Finsbury Park community.”

The Coalface is providing Park Theatre with a six-person, fully furnished office which will be used by the theatre as a flexible, private space for its 15-strong team – a luxury that the theatre cannot currently afford. Rachael Williams, Executive Director at Park Theatre, explains:

“We are absolutely thrilled that we have been offered such a wonderful space to work in - it is something we so desperately needed. Park Theatre has a relatively small footprint and we naturally prioritise audience and performer space, which leaves very little room for the office. We now have 15 people working together to run the theatre and we are pretty packed in – and the lack of space actually limits our potential to hire more people. Some of the team work from home, but it can be impractical as we really need everyone on site at times.

“We are a creative hub, so all of the spaces within Park Theatre are very well-used; it’s vibrant and buzzy and an incredible environment to work in, but when you need to focus, or make a confidential call it can be challenging. Knowing that we have the office in The Coalface – which is such a wonderful space to work in – is such a gift.

“We are really grateful to Jonathan for offering us the office proactively when he saw where we were working. For a charity like us, this will make a huge difference.”

It was recently announced that Park Theatre is preparing to present a special fundraising run of WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED], where a host of celebrity guest performers will take it in turns to join the rehearsed cast of a scripted murder mystery – without having seen a script, and with no direction at all aside from a hidden earpiece on the night. All of the celebrity actors – who include Gillian Anderson, Simon Callow, Jim Broadbent and Joanna Lumley – are offering their services free of charge, to support the theatre’s fundraising efforts.

The Coalface

The Coalface is an architecturally refurbished work space set over one floor of Clifton House in Wells Terrace, Finsbury Park - ideally located for transport links in and out of London and into the City. The Coalface name honours the industrial heritage of the location; Finsbury Park was an important hub for the coal industry, indeed Wells Terrace itself housed a coal depot dating back to the 1800s.

The Coalface offers predominately private offices that are genuinely affordable. Without compromising on quality, amenities or space, entrepreneurs, SMEs and start-ups can secure a private office from just £267 + VAT per desk per month.

The Coalface provides private offices from 3-20 desks. The space is designed to be flexible and accommodating to members’ changing needs; each office can be made larger or smaller as businesses expand or downsize. The Coalface also provides members with private meeting rooms, break out areas and outside space to work or relax in. Drop-in desks are available from £200 per month for a limited period.

For more information, visit www.thecoalfacehub.co.uk.