Local workspaces with heart – where micro business belongs

Over the past week, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on what makes coworking more than just a place to work and why that matters for micro business, especially those rooted in local communities.

From speaking at The Growth Network event in Newry, to preparing for a European Coworking Day pop-up celebration at Space NI in Antrim, one thing has stood out again and again:

When we create spaces built on connection, confidence and care, small businesses don’t just survive they belong.

At The Hub Newry we marked the occasion with our own celebration, a community lunch that brought together members, friends, neighbours, and partners. It wasn’t fancy. But it was real, full of conversation, laughter, and the kind of community that makes the work feel lighter.

In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from these conversations and moments, the results of a recent member survey and some of the ways neighbourhood coworking spaces can support the people behind the micro business not just the businesses themselves.

🎉 Celebrating Community at The Hub Newry

A few days before the official European Coworking Day, we hosted a community lunch at The Hub Newry. It brought together a mix of members, local partners, neighbours, and friends and reminded us how much value there is in simply gathering around a table.

It was relaxed, joyful, and filled with the kind of connection that coworking is really all about. In a world that can often feel fragmented, these small moments of togetherness are everything.

What our members told us

Earlier this year, we asked our members:

“What would you love to see more of in your coworking space?”

Their answers were clear and consistent:

• More business introductions
• Stronger local community engagement
• More chances to be involved, visible, and heard
• Several asked for help with their content & marketing

As one member put it: “I’d love to meet more people doing interesting things locally.”

Another shared: “It’s not just about chatting. It’s about finding people to collaborate with.”

The message?

People don’t just want flexible space. They want a sense of belonging.

🤝 Why belonging matters for small business

Coworking is often framed as a functional solution for freelancers and startups but the true value is found in what happens between the desks.

According to Harvard Business Review, coworking can boost emotional wellbeing, agency and trust more effectively than many traditional work environments.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also notes that community engagement is one of the most powerful tools available to small businesses when it comes to building customer trust, brand visibility, and loyalty.

Micro business: the backbone of the economy, yet often under supported

Micro businesses typically defined as having fewer than 10 employees account for:

• Over 90% of global businesses
• Around 70% of total employment
  (Source: McKinsey & Co.)

But they also face:

• Isolation
• Low visibility
• Limited access to resources
• Burnout

Neighbourhood coworking spaces can help ease these pressures by offering human-scale ecosystems where business owners can connect, grow, and feel part of something meaningful.

Five ways coworking spaces can help micro business thrive

1. Design for belonging, not just desk space
   A strong welcome and personal touch create the foundation for trust and retention.
2. Encourage organic connection
   Create space for casual, low-pressure networking, think coffee mornings or informal roundtables.
3. Bridge members to the local ecosystem
   Partner with local businesses, charities, and events to broaden opportunities for everyone.
4. Keep the feedback loop open
   Regular check-ins and co-created solutions foster deeper engagement.
5. Build confidence through trust
   Safe, supportive spaces allow people to show up fully, ask for help, and take risks.

📍 From Newry to Antrim and beyond

As I travel to Antrim to speak at another European Coworking Day event these themes continue to come up in conversations:

• People are seeking genuine connection
• They want to feel encouraged and supported
• They need places where they can show up fully and be seen

Neighbourhood coworking spaces have a unique ability to deliver that.

We don’t just rent out desks. We hold space for the people building dreams, juggling challenges, and showing up to do the work every day.

💬 Final thoughts

If you’re leading a coworking space, building a small business, or working solo the culture of your space matters.

Not just the layout. Not just the tech stack. But how it feels.

Let’s keep building spaces that:

• Prioritise human connection
• Nurture confidence
• Celebrate community over competition

Spaces where heart is the glue and people stick around not just because of what’s offered, but because of how they feel when they’re there.

If you’re creating something like this where you are, I’d love to hear about it.

Let’s connect. Let’s keep showing up with heart.

I’d love to hear your stories, experiences in these areas….

If any of this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more then I’m here to help.

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