A Staffordshire entrepreneur who runs a national network to empower women has chosen Newcastle-under-Lyme for her headquarters.
Bianca Colclough, who set up This Girl Community as an online presence across the UK, champions wellness in the workplace.
This Girl HQ, which opens on three floors of the Barracks Workshops business centre on 17 July, will offer an immersive experience in botanical-themed surroundings.
The space has been designed for women who are “ready to step into the beautiful world of cultivating their own ideas into the business world but need an alchemy of creativity and support.”
Business people can work at their own pace in comfort either in collaborative desk space or in a snug with their lap-top and a home-made sweet treat.
They can break out into one of the surrounding wellness studios to “reset.”
A Moroccan-theme sensory space and garden room offers the chance to fully relax and recharge.
Bianca’s online This Girl Community was set up in 2020 as a countrywide membership platform.
People can sign up for events on various themes – from marketing to coping with trauma and menopause – run by affiliated members of the This Girl team.
At This Girl HQ, the first events will be a networking brunch and a pre-loved clothes swap event – but its main function is as a workspace open Monday-Friday and Sundays.
“Our aim is to give women the chance to work among like-minded individuals so that they don’t feel isolated,” said Newcastle-under-Lyme-born Director Bianca, who is studying for a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurial Business at Staffordshire University.
“It’s always been my vision to have an in-person hub but it’s not been possible until now because of the Covid restrictions.
“This Girl HQ will be a safe space with a wellness function. As well as being able to curl up on a settee with a laptop people can also make use of the meeting areas or workshops offering yoga, mindfulness and creativity.”
