A NEW business and co-working hub in Rhyl celebrated its official launch on Wednesday, 2 March.
Costigan’s Co-working Space, located on Bodfor Street close to the town centre, is run by TownSq, who have created similar hubs across the UK where entrepreneurship can thrive, with offices in Wrexham and Llanishen in Wales.
The hub offers a unique opportunity for workers and businesses in the area, as well as those that have yet to take the leap into starting their businesses, with meeting spaces, co-working spaces, and a café helping to create a comfortable working environment.
Community Manager for Costigan’s, Owain Colwell, said: “We’re excited to finally officially launch this fantastic space that will make such a difference to those who live and work in the area.
“You don’t expect it from Rhyl – well, why not?
“Let’s change that attitude and stop thinking of Rhyl with negative connotations.
“Being able to give someone that third choice, it’s not just ‘got to uni or get a job’.
“There is that third choice where you can do this yourself if you have something you’re passionate about. It’s really important for Rhyl – yes, you’ve been unemployed, you haven’t been able to find a job – that doesn’t mean that there is no other option.
“Coworking and remote working is not just about providing desk space and internet access, it’s about creating a community of supportive individuals and teams, who can share experiences and help each other grow.
“I’d encourage anyone who thinks they could use any of the support we offer, or who are just looking to break away from the kitchen table for a day, to get in touch with us.”
Their official launch had been delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions, but the site actually opened in May 2021, and ran their first start-up club in July.
The start-up club accommodated seven people each week, who were supported with an eight-week course in sharpening their respective industry skills and learning more about business, representing the first such opportunity in Rhyl.
By the end of the year, the Hub consisted of 14 co-workers, yet by February 2022 had grown to 29 members, with 18 start-up cohorts and a further four planned for the next session on March 10.
One of the many members of the business hub to flourish is 20-year-old Sam Bevan, who was one of the original members to make use of the support system.
Having originally started videography as a hobby while working as a sales advisor, he decided to give up the balancing act and commit to his creative interest during the pandemic, setting up his own videography company Bevo Visuals.
Mr Bevan said: “During the first lockdown, I had to think about creating a business – we have to do stuff we enjoy.
“I started working on it from home, but got really lazy working from my bedroom, but eight months later I’m running my business successfully thanks to the guys here, really positive people to be around.
“It’s given me job opportunities to help me build a portfolio and go on to get really good, exciting work for the future.
“Rhyl does get a bad name, and there are areas that can be improved, but there are still people here with ambition, that want to make a positive change.
“In places like London and Manchester places like this would have been more corporate but here they offer things to help you grow as a person, as a business.
“It’s great to have that constructive criticism here, whereas my parents and sister are always going to say I’ve done a good job
“It’s really good to be able to bounce ideas off each other - it’s worked out perfectly for me.”
The renovation of the building now housing Costigan’s was undertaken by Denbighshire County Council, in partnership with TownSq and the Welsh Government, whose Transforming Towns programme funded the project along with the European Social Fund.
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “Costigans is a fantastic project involved in our wider Rhyl Regeneration Programme.
“This space will give businesses the chance to develop, hire and train more people locally, investing back into our community for the long-term.
“We hope this inspires many entrepreneurs to consider making Rhyl their business home.”
With plans to open up an eco-garden by May 2022, Costigan’s are constantly in a state of progression and improvement, which they hope will be the case for budding entrepreneurs.
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