However, renting and buying space in Sligo is not comparable to other competing cities. Again, if the number of interested parties were sufficient to start then its would benefit new entrants to the area. The Executive hotel option would well with existing business centres in the region, providing two services.

Teleworking is an has been around a long time, however, there are many obstacles, socially and commercially, that can be overcome by collaborating with a small business community.

One solution regarding to online social networking, would the Piazza Business, not too far from Open coffee idea. But its not for business networking, but rather for business freedom in building social bonds between similar minded people within a business community.

Sligo does not have a Piazza Business yet, but we are working on one.

@Susan – agree with all that you’ve said – the proof of the pudding is getting people over the finishing line – but the model has been proved in other locations around the country; would be useful to find out more about what you were offering regarding location?

Hey @James – If the profile of the person who might be interested in this is a primarily a home office worker wanting some facetime with others – I think the hackerspace concept fits well. Discussing this on the phone with a co-conspirator a few weeks back – the concept that came to both of us was more like a meeting club – albeit with availability during standard hours. Might chat to you before thursday to discuss?

However I do see a strong momentum in that direction now. We’ve been experimenting with a number of different formats down here in Limerick, first trying ‘Jelly’events last year and now at advanced stages in setting up a ‘hackerspace’ala 091labs.com in Galway. In fact I read only yesterday that 091labs.com is now running a coworking day every Monday from 11am onwards.

So it seems that these hackerspaces are going to emerge as casual coworking spaces (as much for hobbyists as professionals) and perhaps that’s a model Sligo could look into? I know that Heather James was hoping to visit us here in Limerick so perhaps she’s interested in the hackerspace model herself?

By the way, please don’t be put-off by the term ‘hackerspace’– we don’t break into computers

Would a Hotdesking facility or co-working shared office be of interest to you ?

I am considering opening a Hotdesking or Working Hub in Sligo town ie somewhere you could rent a desk on a monthly basis with full services supplied.If you currently work from home and would like to have a town “Office or presence ” perhaps this is the way forward for your business without all the costs and overheads entailed. The space includes kitchen facilities and shared meeting rooms located in the heart of the Business Centre of Sligo City.

Location specific: Ireland

private question | posted November 9, 2009 in Starting Up, Mentoring