Funds sought for business hub initiative

Hoping to shake up Whangarei's CBD with a collaborative workspace is founder of The Orchard, Derryn Williamson (right), and regeneration planner Owen Davies. Photo / Michael Cunningham

There's power in numbers which is why plans to create a collaborative workspace in Whangarei's CBD are pushing along, with the hope that between 30 and 50 independent workers or micro-enterprises could soon be based in the city.

The Orchard is an multi-sector innovation hub inspired by similar projects in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland called Biz Dojo, and would give a home to start-ups, entrepreneurs, web designers and developers, writers and more.

"No tree should stand alone", explained Derryn Williamson, the woman behind the idea.

She is working on a business case with regeneration planner, Owen Davies of Shorestone Consultants and Northland Inc, which will be presented to Northland Regional Council's board before Christmas, with a view to gaining investment funding.

"There is plenty of space in Whangarei's CBD for a centre like this and we have our eye on five potential spaces," she said.

The collective would rejuvenate the city centre and it is hoped the project would be considered under the 20/20 Inner City Revitalisation vision and included in Northland's Digital Strategy, now in draft form.

The Orchard would not only provide an impressive workspace and facilities, but would also become a co-op sharing the knowledge, skills and social benefits of a company, allowing participants to accelerate problem solving.

So far, there are 11 people signed up as potential members through the Orchard's website and Derryn is calling for more traders to get in touch through The Orchard's online survey.

The idea was born after Derryn, with a background in planning and property development, connected on Twitter with Elinor Slomba from US coworking space, The Grove in New Haven.

The first year of the Orchard would focus on upskilling, training and business plan development. The second year would revolve around acceleration, while year three would see the start ofan incubation programme, with branches growing to Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Dargaville.

"The underlying values (inclusively, collaboration and creativity) of the space and the role that a community host or facilitator, who would work with the centre and wider community, is what makes this unique."

- For more information, see www.theorchard.co.nz.