What a Year.

I was looking back through some emails, blogs and events from January and trying to remember what the world was like before COVID19 hit

Safe to say, 2020 has been the toughest of our Company's 32 years. 

Being a physical space designed specifically to allow people to work in close proximity, collaborate, meet and convene meant that we soon found ourselves redundant in a lockdown scenario.

Homeworking definitely has its upsides, but enforced homeworking on a long term basis has really taken its toll on some of our clients’ employees.

Since we reopened we've worked hard not only to make the building Covid-safe, but to bring a sense of normality to our clients. Whilst we’ve seen a return of our coworking community and meeting room clients, we’ve also said farewell to some longer-term occupiers as they grew on to more suitable premises or were forced to surrender their spaces due to a dip in their workload.

But the Cooper Buildings were never intended as a permanent home for our clients, and we now look forward to the next raft of digital businesses that will join us for part of their journey over the coming months.

I’m proud of everything our staff have done this year. Our incubator programme activity increased during lockdown and we onboarded several new clients remotely. Big shout out to our Project Manager Rose Tran for keeping this moving in difficult circumstances. 

Despite a tough office rental market, we’re in a strong position moving into 2020 with lots of exciting projects on the horizon. I’m looking forward to the continued challenge to make Sheffield the best place to visit, live and work.

Thanks to all of our clients, friends and stakeholders for your ongoing support through such a rough ride.

From the amazing STP team and me, I hope you have a restful Christmas and a Happy New Year.