SubUrban moves to a bigger new co-working space

SubUrban moves to a bigger new co-working space

For immediate release

A new local workplace, enterprise community and event space was opened by Wellington Mayor Justin Lester on 11 May with local parliamentarians, candidates and councillors mingling with more than 50 local small business owners, entrepreneurs and supporters.

SubUrban is primarily a co-working space in a shared open-plan office. It was run out of a space in the Johnsonville Mall, but is now in its new and bigger premises in Johnsonville. It held an open day on the same day as the official launch, which was also Aotearoa’s first National Co-Working Day.

As well as co-working the new venue has meeting rooms, a large workshop space in the Johnsonville centre’s clock tower , and hosts a monthly lunchtime meet-up on Wednesdays, with a guest speaker and runs a number of community business collaborations including connecting Onslow business students with local business people and proving a scholarship for a local social enterpreneur.

SubUrban CEO Kathleen Wright is pleased to be able to move into larger premises after 18 months in its original venue.

“It’s a much bigger multi -level space, with more meeting rooms, and a bigger and brighter open plan co-working area.”

SubUrban is also a social enterprise, with all profits creating a resilient, a collaborative and enterprising space for the growing network of people in the northern suburbs who often work alone from home. Co-workers come from all industries and background and include adult students completing their theses, small business people, contract workers and remote workers.

Wellington City Councillor Jill Day frequently works from SubUrban, and the northern ward councillors have their caucus meetings there.

“We just want to support it – it is fantastic. We need more collaboration going on. It would be fantastic to have a place like this in every suburb.”

Mr Lester said SubUrban is an important part of creating resilient communities, and acknowledged the hard work in getting the space up and running. He also acknowledged the cheese rolls at the launch – or as he called them, Southland Sushi, a real delicacy.

He said it was a welcome space for workers to meet and “bounce ideas off each other. It’s wonderful for the community.”

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne also welcomed the new venue, given the increasing number of people working from home, particularly after recent earthquakes.

“It’s great for the Northern Suburbs.”

Ms Wright is looking forward to seeing how SubUrban continues to mirror and celebrate the diversity of the community, including its social enterprise projects.

“I am really excited about how our new big space will enable us to grow our wonderful workplace community, and I look forward to creating some exciting enterprise collaborations.”

ENDS

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