Work Hull Work Happy is a unique initiative founded by Hull business leaders, Hull City Council and Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Hessle, which positions Hull as the ‘co-working capital of the UK’ and as the nation’s centre for innovation, flexible working and start-up culture.
It’s a unique initiative that connects home-based workers with local businesses by providing affordable spaces to work productively.
Promoting a better quality of life for workers, Work Hull Work Happy allows people to get hired for jobs without their location impacting their opportunities.
Supported by Hull’s reputation as the ‘best connected city outside of London’, businesses will provide space for remote workers to use, which in turn will provide the additional benefits of working life that go beyond salaries. The initiative will also boost the local economy, retain and attract talent, improve opportunities for local people and work towards levelling up goals.
The official launch will be hosted at the recently refurbished former HSBC bank on Whitefriargate, which has been rejuvenated by The 55 Group and will host co-working spaces for individuals and businesses to access.
Emma Hardy MP said: “Nobody should feel forced to leave the place they love to get the job they want, and the launch of this project will help to put Hull on the map as the co-working capital of the UK.
“Now that businesses can sign up to offer co-working space, we will have the most accessible and diverse spaces throughout the city. This, paired with the best high-speed broadband in the country, together with all of the benefits of living in Hull, I really believe is an opportunity to kickstart a new era for the city and breathe new life into our local economy.”
Gerard Toplass, group executive chairman of The 55 Group, said: “The pandemic changed everything when it comes to how, why and where we work – and people can enjoy an excellent quality of life by co-working in Hull. Remote working opportunities can bring high-quality jobs to regions of the UK they weren’t previously available, boosting local economies, retaining the best talent and providing excellent quality of life for people.”
Businesses and organisations that have committed their support to date include HullBID, Prince’s Quay, Moodbeam, C4Di, Garness Jones, Quickline, Hammonds of Hull, Public First, Hull What’s On and Northern Powerhouse.
