Our Purpose

 

We believe creative individuals benefit from working in a collaborative environment where they can thrive

King’s Cross is an area undergoing considerable regeneration and is fast becoming an innovation hub - but this is making it harder than ever to stick around if you’re a little fish in a big pond.

A lack of affordable community means individuals either end up working alone, or move away from a local area which inhibits innovation and employment. ARK is a response to this need. 

Since opening the doors at ARK we have hosted tech start ups, illustrators, filmmakers, anti-trafficking organisations, screen writers, social enterprises that employ refugees, public sector startups, feature film production companies, architects and a even dating website for good. We’ve had the privilege of being part of the journey with these risk takers and social entrepreneurs.

 

Our neighbourhood

Kings Cross has changed a lot over the past ten years. Here are some figures to help you get to know the neighbourhood we care about a little better:

 
 
  • £1 billion construction programme in Kings Cross (approx. £1 million per day)
  • 176 million commuters passing through King’s Cross & St. Pancras each year
  • 50% of children & older people living in poverty in Kings Cross
  • Caledonian Ward and Barnsbury is in the top 10% most deprived wards in the country
  • 91% of families receiving tax credits in Somertown
  • 85% of businesses in Islington are micro-sized, accounting for 17% of all jobs in the borough
 

The problem

Living and working in this city isn’t the easiest thing in the world. We all face challenges starting out or going it alone. We set up ARK Coworking to provide a community where both businesses and people can flourish.

Our Response

We intentionally develop and foster community by connecting our members. We host social events, talks, after work drinks and pause for coffee, to get people together and share their journey.

Isolation

Working alone isn’t just lonely, for many of us it can effect our mental health. Working in isolation at home, in coffee shops or other public spaces doesn’t provide the community and solidarity we all need.

 

Affordability

Cities are expensive places to live, let alone work. Freelancers and startups find themselves pushed further and further from city centres, with prohibitive price tags attached to a simple desk, WiFi and a like minded community.

Our Reponse

We remove financial barriers wherever we can by offering genuinely affordable memberships priced well below the industry norm. Along with being a registered Affordable Workspace Provider, we also offer bursaries to support those who would otherwise struggle to afford coworking.

 

Our response

Our space is designed to foster collaboration, so we run regular events designed to get people together, talk about their work and support one another. We also run spARK, a programme offering 3 months free desk space and business coaching, which invites the wider ARK community to support those just starting out on their journey.

Collaboration

Collaboration is hard to find outside of community. Without the encouragement, knowledge sharing, and expertise of others, it’s hard to get something off the ground. Without collaboration (which really just means inviting others into your idea) innovation is stifled and great ideas don’t get the best chance.

 
 

If you're just starting out, working alone, or need a new place for your team, we would love to hear from you.

Please do reach out to us through our contact us page, or apply to join our community.