Wirral's independent local news website
A private view on Friday 29 October marked the launch of Start-Yard, a mixed-use development that sits at the heart of Birkenhead’s ambitious regeneration programme.
Attended by business leaders, council officers and elected members as well as the Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral, Start-Yard is an exciting biosphere that provides a modern workspace solution for people in the formative stages of their business development.
A stone’s throw from the River Mersey, the complex is based in a former industrial garage building next door to the historic Birkenhead Priory and Cammell Laird shipyard.
Redeveloped for twenty-first century needs, inside phase one of Start-Yard are affordable self-contained work units along with open plan workspace desks.
Many of the building’s original features have been retained including raw brick walls and exposed roof trusses, which sit comfortably alongside a series of repurposed shipping containers, slick work pods and pops of modern colour.
Communal areas include a gallery of contemporary art, and break-out spaces provide a relaxed setting for tenants, while a café bar serves both the venue and surrounding businesses and neighbours with handmade coffees and healthy lunches.
Available also as an event space and with meeting room hire, the second phase will see the development of Start-Yard Market, which will offer a dynamic seasonal year-round calendar of entertainment, live shows, street food and farmer’s markets, art and craft events, as well as seasonal events.
Speaking about the launch event, Start-Yard owner Chris Lee commented, “The interest in Start-Yard has been massively encouraging. Many enquiries are coming from the creative and media sectors who are actively looking for a scheme like this which provides clustered working for like-minded business people – we’re really looking forward to see the development of a collaborative culture evolve as more tenants come on board.”
Officially opening on Monday 8 November – the container work village is already 50% let with a mix of start-ups and developing businesses.
Further information about the full scheme can be found at www.start-yard.com For information on workspace lettings please contact Chris Lee on 07944330762 or Chris.lee@microzine.co.uk
Images credit: Start-Yard